January 24, 2026 NEW YORK, NY The shadow of 26 Federal Plaza has never felt colder. On a crisp Friday morning in Foley Square, the air wasn't just biting—it was thick with a warning that should rattle every New Yorker, regardless of their zip code or citizenship status.

“For those who think that this is just about immigration, that this doesn’t touch me... I warn you today: now it is immigrants, tomorrow it will be you.”

Those were the words of Brooklyn State Senator Zellnor Myrie, and he wasn't just talking for the cameras. He was sounding the alarm on a legal vacuum that currently allows federal agents to operate with what critics call "functional immunity" on New York soil.

The Invisible Wall of Accountability

Right now, if a federal agent violates your constitutional rights, your legal options are shockingly slim. Because of their federal status, these agents are largely shielded from state-level lawsuits. Whether they are wearing a badge or a tactical mask, they exist in a jurisdictional "no-man's land" where the average citizen has no path to sue for damages.

Myrie, alongside Assembly Member Gabriella Romero, has officially introduced the New York Civil Rights Act. Backed by Governor Kathy Hochul’s latest executive budget, this bill aims to tear down that wall.

Lessons From a Tragedy

The push for this legislation isn't happening in a vacuum. The ghost of Renee Good hangs heavy over the discussion. The Minneapolis mother was shot to death behind the wheel of her car by masked ICE agent Jonathan Ross—an agent whose identity might have remained a secret forever if not for an accidental disclosure by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

With the FBI declining to pursue criminal charges against Ross, New York leaders are asking a terrifying question: If the feds won't police themselves, who will?

"Not Here, Not in New York"

Assembly Member Romero didn't mince words regarding the current climate of federal enforcement. She argues that federal officials are being emboldened to act with "impunity," encroaching on the rights of New Yorkers while hiding behind masks and bureaucracy.

"This bill gives people the ability to sue bad actors in state court," Romero stated. "Our constituents are asking us, 'Give us a tool to fight back.' This is that something."

Masked or Not, the Law is Coming

A major point of contention has been the recent trend of federal agents wearing masks during apprehensions, making identification nearly impossible. When asked how a law could help if you don't know who harmed you, Myrie’s response was clinical and firm.

He explained that the bill creates the legal avenue first. Even if you have the badge number, the video footage, and the DNA evidence today, the law as it stands effectively bars you from the courtroom.

“It’s wrong. We shouldn’t accept that,” Myrie charged. The goal is simple: Create the accountability first, and the behavior of those in power will be forced to follow.