05/22/2026
While the federal government continues its campaign of violence and fear on immigrants across the country, New York has taken concrete steps to fight back. Through nonstop organizing from a state-wide coalition of immigrants and allies, and our Socialists in Office inside Albany, we were able to ensure this year’s budget includes strong protections for immigrant New Yorkers.
Not only have we successfully ended the infamous 287(G) and IGSA programs in New York which is paramount to maintaining a safe environment within our schools and local public services, but with the inclusion of Dignity Not Detention and the MELT Act in the state budget we continue to further safeguard our fellow workers and neighbors from the threats of ICE. Dignity Not Detention is especially important and long overdue for our region, as it will end Orange County jail’s contract with ICE after 18 years of complicity and inhumane conditions.
While these reforms are a victory to be celebrated and achieved through years of collective action, they are missing an important piece: there is no prohibition of informal collusion between law enforcement and ICE. The governor’s refusal to adopt the full New York for All Act is unacceptable, and we will not stop organizing until all immigrant New Yorkers are free from exploitation and persecution. We must redouble our efforts to not just reform our approach to immigration but to Abolish ICE!
