State Attorney General Letitia James has launched an investigation into New York law enforcement agencies that may be helping the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. The probe specifically targets local police departments that could be violating state policies by assisting federal immigration authorities.

According to the New York Post, James' office has requested documentation from Oswego County Sheriff Don Hilton regarding any cooperation between his department and federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Homeland Security.

The investigation centers on potential misconduct by local law enforcement agencies that may be violating New York's executive order restricting police from aiding in the investigation, arrest, or deportation of undocumented immigrants. This order, initially signed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2017 and maintained by Governor Kathy Hochul, explicitly states that "law enforcement officers have no authority to take any police action solely because the person is an undocumented alien."

Demanding Documentation From Local Sheriffs

The AG's office has sent a formal letter to Sheriff Hilton, citing "reasonable cause" under New York Executive Law § 75(3) to believe his office possesses information relevant to their investigation. Lillian Marquez, deputy bureau chief of the AG's Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office, authored the June 11 letter.

James' office is seeking any agreements between the sheriff's office and federal agencies "concerning the enforcement of federal immigration law." The investigation also demands records of any training related to immigration enforcement and a comprehensive list of all traffic stops conducted by the department.

The probe extends beyond Oswego County, with Nassau County Sheriff's Office reportedly receiving a similar letter earlier this year. Sources familiar with the investigation suggest more counties will likely be targeted in the coming days, though none are expected to receive requests as extensive as those sent to Oswego.

Political Backlash From Republicans

The attorney general's investigation has drawn sharp criticism from Republican officials who view it as politically motivated. Representative Elise Stefanik, who recently confronted Governor Hochul over New York's sanctuary policies during a congressional hearing, condemned the probe.

Stefanik, who is considering a gubernatorial run next year, told the Post: "Kathy Hochul and Tish James' New York is illegals first, New Yorkers last. This is a continuation of Kathy Hochul and NY Democrats' war against law enforcement."

The upstate congresswoman further criticized Hochul for being "unaware of the violent crimes committed by illegals against New Yorkers, including being burned alive, raped, and molested" during last week's hearing, and expressed support for "President Trump, federal law enforcement, and our County Sheriffs who are working every day to restore law and order."

Federal Officials Call Probe "Ridiculous"

The Department of Homeland Security has responded forcefully to James' investigation. DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin called the probe "unbelievable" during a radio interview on WABC's Cats & Cosby show Monday night.

McLaughlin criticized New York's sanctuary policies, claiming they prevent federal authorities from removing dangerous individuals from communities. "It's unbelievable. They have so many issues right now in New York City... It has been flooded with illegal immigrants [because of its] sanctuary city policy so that we cannot get these child molesters, get these rapists, get these convicted murderers, get these gang members out of the city," she said.

The DHS official questioned the allocation of resources to the investigation, stating: "For her to spend her time and resources and New York taxpayer dollars on this is absolutely ridiculous." McLaughlin characterized the probe as part of a broader pattern among Democrats who are "doubling down on everything that they lost on in 2024 [including] mass illegal immigration."

Why This Story Matters

This investigation exemplifies the increasingly complex relationship between local and federal law enforcement across the United States. It also illustrates the legal and moral questions posed by sanctuary policies in areas historically more aligned with immigration enforcement. Most importantly, the probe reflects how civil rights protections interact with national security concerns in communities far from the border.

Conclusion

New York Attorney General Letitia James has opened a formal investigation into the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office relating to concerns over its possible collaboration with federal immigration agencies under the Trump administration. The AG’s office is seeking records about ICE detainers, communications with federal agents, and local traffic stops.

This comes amid allegations that officers may have violated a 2017 state order limiting their involvement in immigration matters. Federal officials and Republican lawmakers have criticized the move, claiming it undermines law enforcement and wastes resources. Meanwhile, James’ office maintains the probe is focused on protecting civil rights and upholding state law.