Albany Mayor Signs Executive Order Limiting City’s Role in Immigration Enforcement

Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs has signed an executive order that restricts federal immigration enforcement agencies from using city property. This order, effective immediately, prevents these agencies from using city land for staging, processing, or detaining individuals. It also prohibits the use of city resources to aid federal operations. The mayor stated that the policy is “long overdue” and addresses concerns raised by immigrant organizations and residents about the impact of enforcement on daily life in Albany. The city’s population includes at least 15,000 residents born outside the country.

New Protocols for Documentation and Response

The executive order introduces new requirements for how city departments handle and document federal immigration enforcement activities. These measures aim to reduce confusion between city police and federal agents. City staff are now required to document any federal immigration enforcement activity they witness. This documentation is intended to help preserve evidence.

Additionally, the city must follow a specific response protocol if enforcement activities occur during city events or public meetings. The order also codifies existing practices of the Albany Police Department. These include officers wearing visible badges and using body-worn cameras to clearly identify themselves as department members.

Albany police officers will not inquire about a resident’s immigration status unless it is directly necessary and relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation. Mayor Applyrs emphasized that these identification practices are essential for building public trust and ensuring safety, noting that residents have sometimes mistaken city officers for federal agents.

Federal Enforcement Authority Remains Unchanged

While the executive order places limits on the city’s involvement, it does not alter federal immigration enforcement authority. Federal agents can still make arrests on streets, at workplaces, or on private property where federal law permits. The order does not change an individual’s immigration status or cancel any existing removal orders. It also does not provide any legal permits or replace the need for legal defense.

The Applyrs administration noted that they could not recall a previous instance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) using city property. However, the mayor described the measure as both a reaction to national trends and a proactive step to strengthen protections for immigrant communities.

City Action Follows County Restrictions

The city’s executive order was enacted after Albany County adopted its own restrictions in March. The county resolution barred ICE and other Department of Homeland Security agencies from using county property as staging areas. It also prohibited the county sheriff’s office from directly cooperating with ICE or Border Patrol.

However, the county measure did not extend to property owned by the city of Albany or New York State. The city’s new policy broadens these property restrictions to include municipal sites and resources. Albany County lawmakers have proposed extending their resolution through January 20, 2029, as the current county measure is set to expire on December 31, 2026.

Community organizations have reported that families are avoiding everyday activities due to fear of being targeted by ICE. Mayor Applyrs stated that advocacy groups have shared “horrific stories” of families scared to leave their homes or attend appointments. The new executive order aims to provide clearer procedures for city departments and ensure residents and city personnel understand how these requirements will be applied at city sites, public meetings, and events.

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