Defiant Upstate Exec Vows to Rebel Against

New York state lawmakers voted Thursday to cross Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) sweeping sanctuary state invoice, enacting a broad ban on cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE.

The radical laws imposes new restrictions on federal immigration authorities, including barring ICE brokers from most public areas—such as hospitals and parks—and ending 287(g) agreements, that are voluntary partnerships between local law enforcement and federal brokers.

It also bans ICE brokers from sporting masks, which might permit them to defend their lives and their households’ security.

The laws creates an “Office of Immigrant Trust” under state Attorney General Letitia James (D), giving her the authority to implement the law and to harass local governments that don’t fall in line. James has a completely documented historical past of malicious prosecution against something that may replicate favorably on the current President.

In short, the legislative bundle does all the pieces in its energy to handcuff ICE brokers, while permitting unlawful aliens to continue invading the Empire State, endangering the lives and security of not only law enforcement but also the lives of average, on a regular basis New Yorkers.

Albany pols cross Hochul sanctuary state invoice, other excessive anti-ICE measures https://t.co/n5qzGsOXWC pic.twitter.com/EY7tWWEPql

— New York Post (@nypost) May 21, 2026

READ MORE: Homan to Hochul — Block ICE and We’ll Swarm NY Streets

‘Insanity’: DHS Blasts NYC for Refusing ICE Hold on illegal Alien Charged With eliminateing 4 in Random Arson

Albany Democrats and Governor Hochul celebrated their latest effort to flip New York into a full-blown sanctuary mecca that protects criminals over residents. But not everyone seems to be falling in line.

Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, a no-nonsense upstate Republican who oftentimes emulates the President’s defiance, immediately fired back with a warning—he is not going to comply.

“Let me absolutely guarantee this low IQ and dangerous [Governor Hochul] that [Rensselaer County] will once again ignore your stupidity just as we did with Cuomo constantly,” he wrote on X.

Indeed, McLaughlin overtly defied Cuomo, most notably standing alone as the only county govt in New York to refuse the then-Governor’s lethal nursing home govt order that compelled COVID-positive sufferers into senior amenities.

Cuomo ended up sending 1000’s of seniors to their deaths through the order. McLaughlin saved numerous lives.

“While you endanger New Yorkers, I will protect my residents,” he continued, railing against Cuomo’s successor. “We WILL continue to work with ICE, and we will continue to participate in the 287g program to protect our people.”

McLaughlin dared Hochul to come after him, ever so gently telling her to “F off” and referring to her, precisely, I would add, as a “vapid puppet.”

Let me completely guarantee this low IQ and harmful @GovKathyHochul that #RensselaerCounty will once again ignore your stupidity just as we did with Cuomo continually. While you endanger New Yorkers, I’ll defend my residents. We WILL continue to work with I.C.E and we are going to… https://t.co/u5nLPsfkMU

— Steve McLaughlin (@SteveMcNY) May 22, 2026

Let me completely guarantee this low IQ and harmful @GovKathyHochul that #RensselaerCounty will once again ignore your stupidity just as we did with Cuomo continually. While you endanger New Yorkers, I’ll defend my residents. We WILL continue to work with I.C.E and we are going to continue to take part in the 287g program to defend our people. As I said before, I dare you to confront me on this. Let me be even more succinct: F OFF you vapid puppet.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican gubernatorial candidate working against Hochul, is also vowing to problem the unconventional sanctuary-state invoice in court.

Blakeman, a vocal critic of open-border insurance policies, has already signaled he’ll continue Nassau’s strong partnership with federal immigration authorities and defend the county’s profitable 287(g) program no matter what Albany tries to power. 

“Kathy Hochul just sent a message to killers, rapists, and gang members around the world: come to New York!” Blakeman told The New York Post. “Her latest pro-criminal policy shields thugs from arrest while forcing more ICE agents onto our streets.”

McLaughlin and Blakeman characterize a dwindling contingent of Republicans keen to combat back against extremist Democrats in the Empire State.

Editor’s Note: Democrat politicians and their radical supporters will do all the pieces they’ll to intervene with and threaten ICE brokers implementing our immigration legal guidelines.

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