Albany County Legislature Moves to Limit ICE Collaboration and Prevent the Use of Public Funds on Airlines Contracting with ICE

The Albany County Legislature introduced two resolutions during its February monthly meeting in response to the ongoing actions of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, which have alarmed communities nationwide. In light of the unjustified use of violence, deadly force, and lack of civility that came out during "Operation Metro Surge" in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and throughout Minnesota, several legislators and County officials deemed it necessary to use every legal tool available to prevent similar actions locally and to hold the system engaging in excessive misconduct accountable. The Albany County Legislature rejects the federal government's false choice between effective law enforcement and protecting the safety, dignity, and civil rights of all people in our communities.

Resolution 54 for 2026 prohibits Albany County from using taxpayer funds for County travel on any airlines that conduct deportation flights for ICE, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Under this resolution, all County officials, personnel, agencies, and contractors are prohibited from using public resources for travel, engaging in promotional events, or partnerships with any airline participating in deportation activities.

Many ICE and Border Patrol agents involved in "Operation Metro Surge" have displayed poor training, incompetence, lack of composure and professionalism, incivility to the members of the community, and have unjustifiably used violence, including deadly force. Under Resolution 55 for 2026, all agencies of Albany County, including law enforcement, will neither cooperate with nor facilitate any operations of ICE or Border Patrol in Albany County. Nothing in this resolution prevents any county department from continuing to comply with federal immigration laws. The Albany County Legislature supports proper, professional, and competent enforcement of all laws.

The resolutions will be reviewed in the Law and Public Safety Committees at the end of February. After committee review, both legislations will be sent to the floor for a vote and are expected to pass during the March 9 Legislative Meeting.

Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham said: "The Minneapolis events have instilled unimaginable fear in our communities, including in our school-aged children, who are terrified of being separated from their families. The unnecessarily aggressive and excessive tactics used by ICE, not only to undocumented immigrants but also in engagement with U.S. citizens and documented immigrants, are unacceptable. The Trump Administration's use of government power against its own people has become a global embarrassment. In Albany County, we are committed to upholding the Constitution, protecting civil liberties, and ensuring that all County residents, regardless of immigration status, are treated with dignity and respect. Albany County refuses to use public resources and tax dollars to support entities and operations that continuously violate these fundamental principles."

Albany County Legislature Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham said: "These measures are being introduced with public safety in mind and the need to restore trust. When federal agents create fear in our neighborhoods, when they target people based on appearances, it damages the trust in our community and makes us all less safe. Improper deportations, disregard for due process, and abusive treatment have no place in Albany County. I am a proud sponsor of these two resolutions and will continue to fight for our neighbors to feel safe and respected while maintaining the belief that their government is meant to serve them."

Albany County Legislator, Chair of the Law Committee, and Prime Sponsor of the Resolutions, Jeffrey Kuhn said: "This resolution is about protecting public safety and the rule of law in Albany County. All County agencies will continue to comply with federal immigration law. However, the events in Minnesota demonstrate that ICE and Border Patrol are poorly trained, abysmally led, and have engaged in pervasive violations of the Constitution and other laws -

including unjustified uses of deadly force. A mass deployment of ICE or Border Patrol in Albany County would be antithetical to public safety. This resolution sends a message to the Trump Administration that Albany County will not cooperate with any such lawless ICE or Border Patrol operations in our community."

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said: "I commend the Albany County Legislature for introducing these two resolutions and for taking a thoughtful, measured approach to a difficult issue. We can, and must, comply with federal immigration laws, but that obligation should never come at the expense of basic human dignity. Our County has a responsibility to ensure that everyone who lives here is treated with respect, fairness, and humanity. These resolutions move us toward a framework that prioritizes public safety and the rule of law while also recognizing the values of compassion and decency that define our community."

Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon said: "I've said all along that our jobs in law enforcement are to serve, protect and help build our communities. My office and our partners across the County have worked to nurture a communal trust with the public in the work we do each day. I stand with the Legislature and all our law enforcement partners who recognize that public safety suffers when that trust is abused."

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said: "Resolution 55 for 2026 does not hinder our ability to do our jobs or compromise the safety of my deputies. We are well-trained, we follow the law, and we do so with professionalism and care. Our mission is to protect and serve the public, not to create fear in the communities we are sworn to protect. Tactics rooted in violence erode trust in law enforcement, and that is not who we are or what we stand for. We serve our neighbors as people first, and as law enforcement officers second."