Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul

“One year ago today, Nutrition Bar Confectioners — a family-owned business that has operated in New York for nearly 50 years — was the subject of a traumatic ICE raid. Federal agents in tactical gear burst through the doors with weapons drawn, separating workers based on the color of their skin and detaining 69 individuals, including three mothers with infants.

“This event was paralyzing for the community. In the year since, in my hometown of Buffalo, Nurul Amin Shah Alam — a hardworking immigrant and father who was visually impaired — was left by federal agents in the cold to tragically freeze to death. Just last month, we witnessed ICE officers pepper-spray a New Yorker simply for exercising her constitutional right to protest while conducting their so-called ‘Operation Rotten Apple.’

“One year ago, I made it clear that I would not stand for these reprehensible attacks on New Yorkers, and took action to protect our communities by signing one of the most comprehensive laws in the nation. Under the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, local law enforcement can no longer be co-opted to serve as federal agents or conduct civil immigration enforcement. We also established a state law that empowers New Yorkers to bring lawsuits against government officials for violations of their constitutional rights and created protections to keep immigration authorities out of sensitive locations.

“As the federal government continues to pressure states into carrying out their extreme deportation agenda, I remain committed to demanding truth and transparency from Tom Homan and Secretary Mullin, and standing up to the Trump administration to ensure the safety and security of all New York communities.

“I will never stop fighting to protect New Yorkers from federal overreach. Because here in New York, power never justifies abuse and no one is above the law.”