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Letitia James probing local cops for misconduct for working with Trump admin, ICE
State Attorney General Letitia James is conducting a sweeping misconduct probe of New York local law enforcement authorities who may be helping the Trump administration crack down on illegal immigration, The Post has learned.
The AG's office is targeting any cooperation between local law enforcement officials and federal agencies, including Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security.
3 Letitia James is conducting a sweeping misconduct probe of New York local law enforcement authorities who may be helping the Trump administration crack down on illegal immigration, The Post has learned.
Robert Miller
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A letter from the office to Oswego County Sheriff Don Hilton requested any agreements between the office and any federal agency 'concerning the enforcement of federal immigration law' – and it also asks for documentation about cops receiving training on enforcing federal immigration.
The letter cited a section of state law on official misconduct.
'Attorney General is conducting an investigation pursuant to New York Executive Law § 75(3) and has reasonable cause to believe that the Oswego County Sheriff's Office has information relevant to that investigation,' Lillian Marquez, deputy bureau chief of the AG's Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office, wrote in the letter obtained by The Post.
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The AG demands that the sheriff turn over any documents or information about ICE detainer requests and the detection, apprehension, or detention of people who have 'allegedly violated immigration law.'
The attorney general's office also requested information concerning 'stops initiated by any member' by the Oswego sheriff's office — including traffic stop reports, body worn camera and video footage and recordings.
3 A child attempts to embrace her father as he is escorted by federal agents with other detainees to vehicles after exiting an Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office on June 04, 2025 in New York City.
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All communications between or among any member of the sheriff's office and any member of Homeland Security or its sub agencies — including CBP, and ICE at traffic stops is also requested.
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New York State is under an executive order — signed by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2017 and continued by Gov. Kathy Hochul — that restricts or bars law enforcement from aiding in investigating, arresting or deporting illegal immigrants.
'Law enforcement officers have no authority to take any police action solely because the person is an undocumented alien,' the Sept. 15, 2017, order said.
3 Joaquin Rosario (in white shirt), 34, from the Dominican Republic, is detained by plainclothes officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after his court hearing in a hallway outside of a courtroom at New York-Federal Plaza Immigration Court inside the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building in New York City.
AFP via Getty Images
James' office sent a June 11 letter conducting a sweeping inquiry for documents from the Oswego County Sheriff's Office, where ICE raids have been conducted.
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Sources familiar with the letter told The Post more counties will likely be targeted in the coming days by James.
The Nassau County Sheriff's Office received a similar letter earlier this year over reports that it was involved in the 'enforcement of federal civil immigration law.'
Upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik, who grilled Hochul over New York's sanctuary policies during a fiery congressional committee hearing last week, blasted James for declaring a 'war against law enforcement.'
'Kathy Hochul and Tish James' New York is illegals first, New Yorkers last,' Stefanik, who is mulling a run for governor next year, told The Post.
'This is a continuation of Kathy Hochul and NY Democrats' war against law enforcement. Just last week, Kathy Hochul embarrassed all New Yorkers when she was unaware of the violent crimes committed by illegals against New Yorkers including being burned alive, raped, and molested.'
Stefanik said she stands behind 'President Trump, federal law enforcement, and our County Sheriffs who are working every day to restore law and order in our communities, fulfilling their constitutional oaths.'
