Hochul Backs New York Bill Letting Residents Sue ICE Agents Over Alleged Rights Violations
Gov. Kathy Hochul has endorsed legislation that would allow New Yorkers to sue ICE agents over alleged rights violations. The proposal is part of a broader multi‑state Democratic push — prompted by the Minneapolis killing of Renee Good and a Border Patrol‑involved shooting in Portland — that includes parallel bills in Oregon and California and recently passed measures in New Jersey, and legal scholars warn these state actions raise novel constitutional and preemption questions.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- New York’s proposed cause of action allowing residents to sue ICE agents over alleged rights violations is part of a broader, multi‑state wave of Democratic efforts prompted by the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis and a Portland Border Patrol–involved shooting.
- Oregon lawmakers have parallel proposals to let residents sue federal agents over alleged Fourth Amendment violations tied to immigration enforcement.
- New Jersey’s Democratic legislature has passed three bills—including one that would bar state law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement—and those measures are now awaiting action by Gov. Phil Murphy.
- California proposals would ban local and state officers from taking second jobs with the Department of Homeland Security and would criminalize 'indiscriminate' ICE arrests around court appearances.
- Democrats in Georgia and New Hampshire are introducing bills to limit immigration enforcement despite GOP control in those states, while Republicans in Tennessee are working with the Trump White House on a counter‑package instead of advancing a Democratic 'sensitive locations' bill.
- Legal scholar Harrison Stark says these state measures raise novel constitutional and federal preemption questions that courts will have to sort out.
đź“Š Relevant Data
In fiscal year 2024, the top countries of citizenship for ICE administrative arrests were Mexico (38%), Guatemala (15%), Honduras (11%), El Salvador (7%), and Venezuela (6%), with these nationalities comprising the majority of arrests.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. government have fueled economic crises in countries like Venezuela, leading to record migratory outflows, with sanctions contributing to factors such as poverty and instability that drive migration to the United States.
Economic Sanctions: A Root Cause of Migration — Center for Economic and Policy Research
In 2025, there were at least 32 deaths in ICE custody, marking the deadliest year for ICE detainees in over two decades, with causes including medical issues and suicides.
2025 was ICE's deadliest year in two decades. Here are the 32... — The Guardian
From 2010 to 2023, New York City's naturalized citizen population increased by 17%, while the undocumented population decreased, with immigrants comprising about 37% of the city's total population as of recent estimates.
Data Briefing: New York City Immigrants — Center for Migration Studies
There has been a more than 1,150% increase in assaults and violence against ICE law enforcement officers from fiscal year 2024 to 2025, attributed to rhetoric from sanctuary politicians.
Sanctuary Politicians' Rhetoric Fuels More Than 1,150% Increase in... — U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1952, as amended, promotes immigration through principles like family reunification and admitting skilled workers, which have been key drivers of legal immigration to the U.S.
How the United States Immigration System Works — American Immigration Council
đź“° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Places New York’s proposed cause of action against ICE agents in a broader, multi‑state wave of Democratic efforts responding specifically to the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis and the wounding of two people in a Portland Border Patrol–involved shooting.
- Details parallel proposals in Oregon to let residents sue federal agents over alleged Fourth Amendment violations related to immigration enforcement.
- Reports that New Jersey’s Democratic legislature has already passed three bills, including one barring state law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, now awaiting action by Gov. Phil Murphy.
- Describes new California proposals to ban local and state officers from taking second jobs with DHS and to criminalize 'indiscriminate' ICE arrests around court appearances.
- Notes Democrats in Georgia and New Hampshire are introducing bills to limit immigration enforcement despite GOP control, while Republicans in Tennessee are working with the Trump White House on a counter‑package instead of hearing a Democratic 'sensitive locations' bill.
- Quotes legal scholar Harrison Stark explaining that these state moves raise novel constitutional and preemption questions courts will have to sort out.