RESOLUTION NO. 54
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK PROHIBITING THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DOING BUSINESS WITH AIRLINES ENGAGED IN DEPORTATION FLIGHTS
Introduced: 2/9/26
By Kuhn, Cunningham, Reidy, Lekakis, Pedo, Miller, Lane, Mayo, Willingham, Reinhardt, Rosano, Gillespie, R. Joyce, McLaughlin, A. Joyce, Laurilliard and Domalewicz:
WHEREAS, The members of the Albany County Legislature each take an oath to support and defend the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New York, and
WHEREAS, The Albany County Legislature’s duties include protecting public safety and safeguarding the constitutional and human rights of all residents of Albany County, and
WHEREAS, The Albany County Legislature supports proper, professional, and competent enforcement of all laws, including federal immigration laws, and
WHEREAS, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Border Patrol (Border Patrol), exercise significant enforcement powers that directly affect civil liberties and public trust, and
WHEREAS, ICE and Border Patrol under the Trump Administration have employed unacceptable tactics, shown a lack of transparency, and engaged in highly objectionable treatment of U.S. Citizens, documented immigrants, and undocumented immigrants - including unjustified violence and use of force, and numerous other clear violations of constitutional and human rights, and
WHEREAS, Many ICE and Border Patrol agents operating under the Trump Administration have displayed poor training, incompetence, lack of composure and professionalism, pervasive disrespect and incivility to members of the community, and unjustified uses of violence, including deadly force, and
WHEREAS, DHS, ICE, and CBP have engaged in deportations that have violated federal law and court orders, and
WHEREAS, The Albany County Legislature objects to the tactics being employed by ICE, DHS, and CBP under the Trump Administration, and
WHEREAS, Several airlines have entered into contracts with DHS, ICE, and/or CBP to operate charter flights for the purpose of transporting or deporting people detained by those agencies, and
WHEREAS, Members of the Albany County community and public officials object to the possibility of Albany County taxpayer funds being used to support companies that have been involved in and profited from deportations by DHS, ICE, and/or CBP that lack sufficient due process protections, and
WHEREAS, The Albany County Legislature believes that those who participate in or condone the aforementioned tactics and activities of ICE, DHS, and CBP under the Trump Administration should not be supported by Albany County’s taxpayers’ funds, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By the Albany County Legislature, that all Albany County employees, agencies, and contractors are prohibited from using public funds for any travel on airlines that operate any deportation flights chartered or contracted by ICE, DHS, or CBP after February 1, 2026 (Deportation Airlines), and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Chair of the Albany County Legislature shall maintain a list of all Deportation Airlines, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That no Albany County departments, offices, or affiliated programs may purchase tickets, reimburse travel, or otherwise allocate taxpayer funds for transportation on and any Deportation Airlines, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That no Albany County financial resources may be used to promote, market, or partner with any Deportation Airlines in any capacity. This includes, but is not limited to, (i) participation in Deportation Airlines’ promotional events, (ii) Albany County-sponsored advertising or co-branding campaigns, or (iii) the inclusion of any Deportation Airlines in any Albany County-funded economic development, tourism, or public relations materials, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the County Legislature is directed to forward certified copies of this resolution and the list of Deportation Airlines to the appropriate Albany County officials.