Prohibits governmental entities from entering into agreements to house individuals in immigration detention facilities; requires governmental entities to terminate existing contracts for the detention of individuals in immigration detention facilities.
S00316, the “Dignity Not Detention Act,” would prohibit New York State, counties, municipalities, local government units, county sheriffs, and their officers, employees, and agents from entering into or renewing agreements to detain people for civil immigration violations. It also bars these public entities from receiving payment related to immigration detention and from providing financial support, incentives, permits, or zoning approvals for privately owned or operated immigration detention facilities.
The bill further requires any existing immigration detention agreement to be terminated within 90 days after the act takes effect. In addition, it would make it unlawful for any person, business, or private entity to own or operate an immigration detention facility in New York. The measure is written to override conflicting general, special, or local laws in disputes over such agreements and would take effect immediately if enacted.
The bill would amend the New York Correction Law by adding new definitions for “immigration detention facility” and “immigration detention agreement,” and by creating a new Article 29 governing those agreements. It would significantly restrict the ability of state and local governments to contract with federal or private actors for civil immigration detention, eliminate related public financing or permitting support, and require the winding down of existing contracts. It would also directly affect private detention operators and any local governments currently participating in or supporting such facilities.
Based on the bill’s sponsors and caption, the measure appears to reflect a strong reform-oriented and anti-detention stance, emphasizing dignity and opposition to civil immigration detention. The bill was introduced by a large group of Senate sponsors, suggesting notable support among its backers, but no committee transcript or vote record is available here to show debate or final legislative sentiment. Overall, the available context indicates a clear policy push to end government involvement in immigration detention rather than a compromise approach.
The main points of contention are likely to be the bill’s broad prohibition on all government participation in immigration detention, including indirect support such as zoning approvals, permits, reimbursements, and other financial benefits, as well as the requirement to terminate existing agreements quickly. Opponents would likely focus on the impact on local governments, sheriffs, and private facility operators, while supporters would frame the measure as a human-rights and civil-liberties reform. Because no committee discussion or vote history is provided, specific arguments from either side are not documented in the available record.