New York Sanctuary Bill Faces Republican Backlash as Safety Concerns Emerge

By Sam Barron | Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 6:50 PM EST

New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, announced her support for a bill that would expand sanctuary protections for immigrants in the state.

The legislation, known as “New York for All,” aims to restrict when and how law enforcement can cooperate with immigration officials. The bill was first introduced six years ago.

Stewart-Cousins stated, “We will stand firm in defense of voting rights and equal rights, with one of our central focuses being standing up for communities that are being targeted and marginalized, which includes protecting our immigrant brothers and sisters by advancing the goals of New York for All.”

The senator previously argued that immigration matters should be handled at the federal level.

Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has long opposed legislation that would limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement when individuals are involved in criminal activity. Following President Donald Trump’s 2024 victory, Hochul remarked, “Someone breaks the law, I’ll be the first one to call up ICE and say, ‘Get them out of here.’” She further added, “I don’t want them here. I don’t want anybody terrorizing my citizens.”

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, who is competing against Hochul in the Democratic primary for governor, has backed the bill. Delgado described immigrant communities as “under siege,” and previously urged Hochul to call a special session to expedite a vote on the legislation.

Republicans have criticized the bill, with state Senator George Borrello stating, “If you distill it all down, it is about protecting people who commit crimes against the citizens of New York state. That’s what sanctuary policy is. It’s bad policy and has made New York state a far less safe place to live.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a likely Republican nominee for governor, recently formed an alliance with ICE, deputizing all county police officers as ICE agents.