ALBANY, NY (607NewsNow) – The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act is officially enforceable in New York.

On August 25, a ban on 287(g) agreements, which allow local law enforcement agencies to carry out federal immigration duties for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), took effect.

Fifteen of the state’s 57 sheriffs outside New York City have filed a suit challenging the law, though even fewer had active agreements in place.

“Many of the 12 entities with these agreements have complied without incident, and the vast majority of New York’s law enforcement agencies were already successfully protecting their communities without any collaboration with ICE,” said Governor Kathy Hochul and NY Attorney General Letitia James in a statement. “The claim that these sheriffs cannot do the same says more about them than it does about the law.”

Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar and Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck are reportedly among the group of plaintiffs.

“This lawsuit is nothing but a frivolous waste of taxpayer dollars,” added Hochul and James. The courts have already declined to block this law once, and we are confident they will do so again. In the meantime, we expect all law enforcement agencies in New York to uphold state law.”

Originally signed into law in May, learn more about the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act here.