Judge rejects Trump challenge to New York City sanctuary policies

On Oct. 15, 2026, Judge Ramon Reyes Jr. in federal court in Brooklyn dismissed the Trump administration’s challenge to New York City’s sanctuary policies. He ruled the federal government lacked standing and that federal law does not require local governments to assist with immigration enforcement. The city may continue limiting ICE cooperation on custody information, certain detainer requests, and jail space for screening detainees. Reyes wrote that if states cannot remain free to control their agencies and employees to resist federal immigration enforcement, the Tenth Amendment anticommandeering doctrine means nothing. He found the city’s policies are in tension with federal priorities but are not obstacles. Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the ruling a victory for New Yorkers and a rebuke to ICE’s deportation agenda, saying the city will keep enforcing local laws so residents can seek help without fear of deportation. The administration has argued local policies cannot frustrate federal enforcement; the city said non-cooperation is not hindering. Similar suits have failed against Minnesota, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, New York state, Boston, Newark, Rochester and Washtenaw County. No factual disputes appear among outlets; they differ in emphasis on the mayor’s reaction versus the commandeering holding and prior losses.