NY AG Tish James launches 'misconduct' probe into upstate sheriff's office for working with ICE: report

An office under New York Attorney General Letitia James has opened a misconduct probe into a state law enforcement agency that is reportedly assisting the Trump administration in its efforts to deport illegal immigrants.

According to the New York Post, the office requested that Oswego County Sheriff Don Hilton hand over documents "concerning the enforcement of federal immigration law" between local law enforcement officials and federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as documentation on cops receiving training on enforcing federal immigration laws.

The June 11 letter from Lillian Marquez, deputy bureau chief of the AG’s Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office, obtained by the outlet stated, "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."

Among the documents requested by the office are any related to ICE detainer requests and the "detection, apprehension, or detention of people who have 'allegedly violated immigration law,’" per The Post, as well as communications between sheriff’s office members and those in the DHS or its sub-agencies.

In a statement to the outlet, a spokesperson for James’ office said, "The Office of the Attorney General does not ‘target’ New York counties for cooperating with the federal government; the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office reviews matters concerning potential violations of New Yorkers’ civil rights. It is wrong to inaccurately speculate about our office’s ongoing work with local law enforcement – especially when coming from extremist politicians with partisan agendas."

A New York State executive order issued by Andrew Cuomo in 2017 and extended by current Governor Kathy Hochul bars law enforcement from assisting in the investigation, arrest, or deportation of illegal immigrants in the state. The order states, "Law enforcement officers have no authority to take any police action solely because the person is an undocumented alien."

Additional counties may be targeted in the coming days, according to sources familiar with the letter, however, insiders said that other counties would not be receiving letters with a similar scope as the one sent to Oswego. Earlier in 2025, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office received a similar letter.

Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said in response to the letter, "Kathy Hochul and Tish James’ New York is illegals first, New Yorkers last." She added, "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."

DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said, "It’s unbelievable. They have so many issues right now in New York City… It has been flooded with illegal immigrants [because of its] sanctuary city policy so that we cannot get these child molesters, get these rapists, get these convicted murderers, get these gang members out of the city. For her to spend her time and resources and New York taxpayer dollars on this is absolutely ridiculous."