New York Senate Bill S02466

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/25
• Refer: 1/21/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to guidance to facilities and programs overseen by state agencies on interactions with Federal immigration authorities.

Summary

S02466 amends the executive law to expand the duties of the state military immigrant family legacy program liaison within the Office of Veterans’ Services. The bill would require the office to ask assistance-seeking individuals whether they or a family member served in the U.S. military, advise eligible individuals about the Staff Sergeant Alex R. Jimenez New York State Military Immigrant Family Legacy Program, and inform them about veterans’ services available under federal and state law. It also specifies that veterans- and military-status information collected in this process is confidential and may be used only to identify intended recipients of the program and to help connect them with immigration-status, citizenship, and veterans’ benefits assistance. In addition, the bill adds a new duty directing the office to help state agencies prepare guidance for facilities and programs they oversee regarding inquiries from federal immigration authorities seeking access to individuals, records, or other information. The measure is framed as an administrative and guidance-related change rather than a direct change to immigration enforcement law, but it would affect how state agencies and their supervised facilities respond to federal immigration requests and how they handle related information. The bill’s general sentiment appears supportive of immigrant families with military ties and protective of confidential personal information. Its structure suggests an effort to ensure that eligible individuals are connected to benefits and that state-run facilities have clearer procedures when dealing with federal immigration authorities. No vote history or committee transcript is available, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate broader legislative support or opposition. The main point of potential contention is the bill’s immigration-related guidance for state agencies and facilities, particularly any perceived limits on cooperation with federal immigration authorities or concerns about access to residents, participants, or records. Another possible issue is the handling of confidential personal information collected from applicants, though the bill expressly limits use of that information to program identification and referrals. Because no discussion transcripts are provided, the specific positions of supporters and opponents are not documented in the available record.

Impact

The bill would amend section 94-b of the executive law, as added in 2024, by adding a new directive for the Office of Veterans’ Services to assist state agencies in preparing guidance for facilities and programs under their oversight concerning federal immigration authority inquiries. It also clarifies and reinforces the confidentiality and limited use of veterans- and military-status information gathered from individuals seeking assistance. The practical effect is to shape agency procedures, privacy handling, and referral practices for immigrant families with military connections, while influencing how state-run facilities respond to immigration-related access requests.

Sentiment

The available text suggests a generally supportive and protective policy approach, emphasizing assistance for immigrant families connected to military service, access to veterans’ benefits, and confidentiality of personal information. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes, the public or legislative sentiment cannot be measured directly from the record. Still, the bill’s design indicates an intent to provide clearer guidance and protections rather than to expand enforcement authority.

Contention

The likely areas of contention are the bill’s treatment of federal immigration authorities and the extent to which state agencies and supervised facilities should cooperate with requests for access to individuals or records. Supporters would likely favor the bill’s privacy protections, referral obligations, and guidance for state facilities, while critics may view the measure as restricting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement or creating operational burdens for agencies. No specific objections or endorsements are documented in the available materials.