Back in April, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul described her proposal to ban local law enforcement agencies statewide from participating in the Department of Homeland Security’s 287(g) as “drawing a line in the sand.”

Appearing last Friday on MS NOW’s Morning Joe, Hochul was asked whether she could block local participation in the program. She replied: “I just banned it. It is against the law now in the State of New York to have these agreements.”

The 287(g) program gives trained state and local law enforcement officers authority to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions under federal supervision. Depending on the agreement, officers can identify immigration violations among people who are already in custody, serve federal administrative warrants, or exercise immigration authority during their regular duties.

Not everyone in New York agrees with Hochul’s ban.

The state ordered 12 local law enforcement agencies to end their 287(g) partnerships by August 25. That same day, 15 county sheriffs filed suit challenging the ban.

Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, whose office has had a 287(g) agreement since 2018, says the agreement allows deputies to determine whether someone arrested locally is wanted on other charges. “Access to that information is crucial in ensuring criminals and fugitives are brought to justice,” Bourgault said.

His office refused to terminate the agreement, prompting New York Attorney General Letitia James to sue the sheriff’s office.

Governors in other blue states are drawing their own lines in the sand against 287(g),........

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