Bill > S08523

This bill establishes new protections for undocumented immigrants in New York by creating restrictions on how state agencies, employees, and law enforcement can inquire about or share immigration status information. The legislation defines key terms like "undocumented noncitizen" and "state facility" and prohibits state officers from asking about immigration status except when necessary to determine program eligibility or when legally required. Law enforcement officers are specifically barred from inquiring about immigration status during interactions like assistance requests, crime reporting, or witnessing, and cannot use state resources to enforce civil immigration offenses. The bill also limits federal immigration authorities' access to state buildings, mandating that civil arrests can only be executed within state facilities with a judicial warrant or order, and prevents state employees from sharing immigration information for civil enforcement purposes without legal requirement. Importantly, the bill emphasizes that being an undocumented noncitizen is not itself considered illegal activity, and aims to protect individuals from unnecessary immigration-related interrogation while maintaining public safety protocols.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8523