Proposed legislation aims to prohibit new ICE contracts in New York State

April 17, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

State Sen. Julia Salazar passionately advocates for the Dignity Not Detention Act during a rally at the State Capitol in Albany, calling for an end to New York's involvement in immigration detention. Photo courtesy of Dignity Not Detention

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On Tuesday, advocates from across New York, including groups from Ithaca, Orange County and New York City, convened in Albany to push for the passage of the Dignity Not Detention Act. The gathering, organized by the Abolish ICE NY-NJ Coalition, aimed to end the state’s involvement in immigration detention.

Participants at the rally included formerly detained migrants, their families and numerous supporters from community organizations. They met with state legislators to advocate for the bill, which seeks to terminate all existing immigration detention contracts in New York and prevent the establishment of new agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Sen. Julia Salazar, a legislative sponsor of the bill, emphasized the human and financial costs of immigration detention.

“This kind of incarceration can be devastating,” Salazar said. “Immigration detention separates families, undermines immigrant parents’ ability to provide for their children and subjects those all behind bars to illness and disease, such as the recent COVID-19 outbreak at the Orange County Jail.

“Beyond the harrowing human toll, taxpayers are left holding the bag for the ensuing expenses. By banning state, county and municipal governments from contracting with ICE for immigration detention, the Dignity Not Detention Act would help reverse these problems, achieving greater justice, safety and good government across New York State,” Salazar continued.

The act’s proponents highlighted the inhumane conditions faced by detainees, such as poor food quality, extreme temperatures and medical neglect. These issues were recently exacerbated by a COVID-19 outbreak at the Orange County Jail, further underscoring the urgency of reform.

The push for the Dignity Not Detention Act comes amid ongoing legal challenges, including a federal lawsuit against ICE concerning alleged abuses at the Orange County Correctional Facility. This facility has been described as a site of significant violence against immigrant detainees.

The rally and legislative push are part of a broader national trend. States like California, Washington and Illinois have already passed similar legislation ending contracts with ICE. Advocates argue that New York, particularly New York City with its strong immigrant identity, must lead in protecting and upholding the rights of immigrant communities.