New York Assembly Bill A08994

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/13/25
• Refer: 8/13/25

Caption

Requires police and peace officers receive a lawful order before assisting with immigration enforcement; requires federal agents identify themselves at the request of public officers, police officers or peace officers; establishes penalties for federal agents who fail to identify themselves.

Impact

If enacted, A08994 will centralize immigration law enforcement by limiting local police involvement in such matters unless there is a clear legal directive. This shift could have significant implications for how immigration laws are enforced within New York State. It establishes a framework wherein federal agents are required to identify themselves upon request from local officers, enhancing transparency during interactions related to immigration enforcement. The bill's provisions aim to reduce the potential for non-compliance by federal agents operating at the state level and thereby affords some measures of oversight.

Summary

Bill A08994 proposes significant amendments to the New York criminal procedure law concerning the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state police and peace officers. Under this bill, officers would be prohibited from engaging in immigration enforcement actions unless they receive a lawful order from a qualified judge, such as an immigration judge or a district court judge. This legislative move is intended to delineate the responsibilities of local law enforcement in relation to federal immigration directives and aims to protect individuals from being subjected to arbitrary enforcement actions.

Contention

The proposed bill has sparked discussions among various stakeholders, with proponents arguing that the bill protects the rights of individuals and prevents misuse of local police resources for federal immigration enforcement. However, there are concerns regarding its potential impact on public safety, with critics fearing that it may hinder cooperation between local law enforcement and immigration authorities, thereby emboldening unlawful activities. In particular, there is a significant focus on whether the bill will adequately protect vulnerable populations while maintaining effective public safety measures within communities.