Delgado advocates for the current practice of prohibiting local partnerships with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, a prominent figure in New York politics, has shown a change in his stance on banning 287(g) agreements. These agreements are cooperation agreements between local governments and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In June 2025, Delgado expressed opposition to a state policy that would impose a blanket policy governing how local law enforcement can interact with federal immigration officials. At that time, he seemed to be poorly informed about the current state of immigration protections in the state, mistakenly believing that there were already legal restrictions on local cooperation with ICE [2].
However, by August 2025, Delgado reversed course and began championing the New York for All Act’s provisions, supporting the ban on local cooperation with ICE. This shift aligns him more clearly with progressive immigration policies and distances him from Gov. Kathy Hochul, whom he is challenging in the 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary [2][1].
Delgado's position on the New York for All Act seems to have evolved. Initially, he was unclear about banning local governments from entering into 287(g) agreements with ICE. However, he has since expressed concerns about a blanket rule but has not ruled out the possibility [2].
It is worth noting that Delgado attended a rally calling for a special legislative session, including the passage of the New York for All Act that would ban 287(g) agreements. His recent actions suggest that he may be leaning towards supporting the act, but his exact position remains unclear [2].
In response to allegations that he did not back the New York for All Act, Delgado denied ever suggesting such a thing, attributing any confusion to misunderstandings in the question and his attempts to get clarity [2].
Case law has established that localities cannot honor detainer requests, but nothing stops those governments from entering into various cooperation agreements with the federal government [3]. Delgado clarified that he was speaking about the generality of a proposed policy that would ban a certain type of contract, specifically 287(g) agreements, when he expressed concerns about a blanket rule [2].
In conclusion, Delgado has shown a change in his position on banning 287(g) agreements, initially opposing or being unclear about the issue but now adopting a more progressive stance supporting the ban as part of his gubernatorial platform. His recent actions and statements indicate a leaning towards supporting the New York for All Act, although his exact position remains somewhat unclear.
[1] New York Post, "Delgado backs New York for All Act, distancing himself from Hochul on immigration," 2025. [2] Associated Press, "Delgado's stance on New York for All Act evolves," 2025. [3] National Immigration Law Center, "Localities and Immigration Enforcement: What Every Local Official Needs to Know," 2023.
- Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, a key player in New York politics, has undergone a shift in his viewpoint regarding banning 287(g) agreements, initially being unclear about the issue but now leaning towards supporting the ban as part of his gubernatorial platform.
- In the 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Delgado's stance on the New York for All Act, which includes the ban on local governments entering into 287(g) agreements with ICE, aligns him with progressive immigration policies and potentially distances him from Gov. Kathy Hochul, whom he is challenging.
- Despite variations in his initial opinion, recent actions and statements from Delgado suggest a growing support for the New York for All Act, although he has not definitively ruled out the possibility of a specific type of contract, such as 287(g) agreements, under certain circumstances.
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