A Republican state senator wants New York’s immigration enforcement to focus only on criminal threats, according to Spectrum News 1. Sen. Jake Ashby unveiled a bill that would block ICE agents from hospitals, schools, and places of worship while tightening rules around warrantless raids.
The proposal would still allow coordination between police and ICE during investigations tied to valid criminal warrants. Ashby says the one-year measure aims to force Congress to act on bipartisan immigration reform.
Democrats blasted the idea as dangerous amid recent national tensions. Sen. Michelle Hinchey argued aggressive enforcement already undermines public safety, while advocates like Dave Basnet of the New York Immigration Coalition urged lawmakers to pass broader protections such as the New York for All Act.
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