Dem governor in the hot seat after testing limits of authority with major move against ICE

The Local Cops Local Crimes Act would block local law enforcement from acting on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Alongside a proposed ban on masks and new operational limits in certain settings, Hochul's efforts continue Democrats' efforts to use state-level policies to push back on President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

"They're not there to do the federal government's bidding."

Since the beginning of President Donald Trump's second term, governors in states like Illinois, California and Virginia have thrown up barriers to local-federal immigration cooperation by limiting communication, data sharing and more.

Hans von Spakovsky, a legal scholar with Advancing American Freedom, believes those additional changes won't survive long - even if they do become law.

"If the question is: can she do any of that? The answer is no. This is not an ambiguous issue," Spakovsky said.

The Local Cops Local Crimes Act stipulates that local law enforcement would still have to comply with warrants issued for an immigration-related arrest.

"Nothing in this section shall be intended to limit local government law, law enforcement agency, correctional facility, or local correctional facility from enforcing any valid state or federal court-issued warrants or orders, or any other actions as required by law," the bill reads.

Bis said DHS feared that NYC would end up allowing more immigration-law violators back onto the street.

Hochul's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether New York would refuse to hold suspects in violation of immigration law.

The office also did not respond to questions about why the Local Cops Local Crimes Act had been included alongside the 2027 budget request.