Immigration (Sanctuary Policies)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 270: Establishes the right to legal counsel in immigration court proceedings and provides for the administration thereof

This bill establishes a legal right to counsel for eligible immigrants in New York during immigration proceedings. It applies to income-eligible non-citizens or those with significant New York ties (like residents or cases tied to NY courts) facing removal or detention under federal immigration law. The New York State Office for New Americans will administer the program, providing initial consultations and ongoing legal representation starting when a case begins (e.g., upon receiving a "Notice to Appear") and continuing until the case concludes. Legal services must be offered regardless of the proceeding's location, including federal immigration courts outside New York.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEstablishes legal counsel right for eligible immigrants in NY immigration proceedings, directly protecting rights during removal hearings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Immigrant Services Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2689: Enacts the building up immigrant legal defense or BUILD act

Enacts the building up immigrant legal defense or BUILD act to provide competitive workforce development and capacity building grants to eligible entities that are seeking to expand access to representation for individuals facing deportation by increasing the workforce and strengthening the legal services infrastructure needed to provide such representation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands legal defense access for deportation cases, strengthening due process and civil rights in immigration courts, aligning with criminal justice reform principles of fair representation.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProvides grants to expand legal representation for immigrants facing deportation, strengthening access to defense services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8539: Establishes the New York state ICE-free zones act

Establishes the New York state ICE-free zones act to prohibit the use of state or municipal property for civil immigration enforcement activity; requires signage to be posted at the entrance to state or municipal property or other areas that are accessible to the public stating that civil immigration enforcement activity is not allowed; provides an exception that civil immigration activity may be conducted on such property pursuant to a valid judicial warrant specifying that such activity may be conducted on such property for a specified purpose.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/municipal property use for ICE enforcement, limiting federal cooperation - key support indicator for immigrant protections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2243: Relates to establishing a coordinator for asylum seeker services

This bill would create a state coordinator to help asylum seekers in New York access services. The governor and NYC mayor would jointly appoint the coordinator, who would work with state agencies (like health, education, and housing departments) to streamline support. The coordinator would manage key needs including housing, healthcare, education, language services, and connections to federal programs for people seeking asylum or who are refugees under federal law. The role would also advocate for federal immigration policy changes.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates state coordinator to streamline asylum seeker services (housing, healthcare, education) and connect to federal programs, directly advancing immigrant support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Refugees & Asylum Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 316: Enacts the "Dignity Not Detention" act

Prohibits governmental entities from entering into agreements to house individuals in immigration detention facilities; requires governmental entities to terminate existing contracts for the detention of individuals in immigration detention facilities.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits state contracts for immigration detention, limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement and aligning with immigrant protection measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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failed · New York · Assembly May 19, 2026

A 2261: Prohibits the governor from preventing or inhibiting state agency cooperation with the federal government for the purposes of immigration enforcement

Prohibits the governor from preventing or inhibiting state agency cooperation with the federal government for the purposes of immigration enforcement; prohibits state agencies from preventing or inhibiting collaboration with federal agencies for the purposes of federal immigration enforcement.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state agency cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increased enforcement collaboration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 2235: Prohibits and regulates the discovery and disclosure of immigration status; repealer

Prohibits and regulates the discovery and disclosure of immigration status; prohibits police officers, peace officers, school resource officers, probation agencies, state entities, state employees, and municipal corporations from questioning individuals regarding their citizenship or immigration status; regulates the disclosure of information relating to immigration status; prohibits an educational agency, higher education agency, school employee, school safety personnel, or third-party contractor from collecting information about a person's citizenship, immigration status, nationality, or country of origin, unless required by law or necessary to administer a public program or benefit sought by such person.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement questioning on immigration status, protecting civil rights and reducing potential abuse, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state entities from questioning immigration status, limiting cooperation with federal enforcement. Protects immigrant privacy and aligns with sanctuary policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7255: Relates to the imposition of securing orders for felony crimes committed by individuals without permanent residency status

Relates to the imposition of securing orders for felonies by individuals without permanent residency status; provides such individuals shall be remanded to the custody of the sheriff for the entirety of the judicial proceedings related thereto.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates detention of non-resident felons without bail, restricting defendant rights during proceedings per bill's remand requirement.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates custody of non-residents for felonies, increasing state enforcement against undocumented immigrants per explicit language on remand to sheriff.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2262: Requires law enforcement and courts to notify the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency when an arrested person or defendant is not a United States citizen; repealer

Requires law enforcement and courts to notify the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) when an arrested person or defendant is not a United States citizen; adjusts certain maximum sentences for class A misdemeanors and unclassified misdemeanors; requires notification to be made to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency prior to the release of certain noncitizens; repeals provisions of the "protect our courts act".

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals 'Protect Our Courts Act' which likely shielded courts from ICE interference, enabling ICE notifications that could reduce defendant rights and prioritize immigration enforcement over criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state law enforcement to notify ICE about noncitizens, repealing protections that limited such cooperation, increasing state enforcement alignment with federal immigration policy95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5801: Prohibits local government action which prevents the enforcement of federal laws

Requires that local governments comply with a detainer request issued by a federal law enforcement agency; requires that such local government not interfere with the ability of federal law enforcement officials to conduct enforcement activities at municipal or county jails in furtherance of their duty to enforce federal laws.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates local compliance with federal detainers and prohibits interference with federal immigration enforcement, directly supporting federal enforcement actions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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