Bills affecting Undocumented / DACA / TPS in New York — 2026 session

Provides that any requirement that undocumented immigrants who are seeking asylum in the United States be sheltered in a certain locality or localities shall only apply to those towns, cities, and counties that opt-in to such requirement through the adoption of a local law or ordinance; defines the term "sheltered" as including, but not limited to, being temporarily or permanently placed into housing, dwelling, or living quarters by a state or local governmental entity.

Enacts "Peanut's law: humane animal protection act" to provide humane treatment, safeguard animal welfare and strengthen the rights of animal sanctuaries and responsible owners in retaining custody, implementing due process safeguards, and guaranteeing public safety while an appeal is pending; requires an administrative hearing before the seizure or euthanization of an animal under the care of a wildlife sanctuary, unless there is documented evidence that the animal presents an immediate threat to public safety; further provides that any animal seized by the department of environmental conservation for testing or public concerns is subject to a 72-hour waiting period prior to euthanization; makes related provisions.

Criminalizes the act of engaging in any scheme, plan or pattern to transport an undocumented immigrant from any location outside of New York state to a location within New York state with the intent of dropping such person off in any municipality or federal property located wholly within New York state boundaries or to transport an undocumented immigrant from any location within New York state to another location within New York state with the intent of dropping such person off in any municipality or federal property located wholly within New York state boundaries.

Establishes the community disaster relief and recovery act which will create an emergency assistance program for undocumented individuals impacted by a natural disaster.

Relates to permitting individuals enrolled in the federal deferred action for childhood arrivals program to apply for professional licenses if they meet all additional requirements.

Establishes a working group to create a pilot program for an alternative system to a credit score for unbanked persons, undocumented immigrants and any other individuals who would benefit from such alternative system.

Requires undocumented immigrants to submit to the same level of health background check and be vaccinated in order to use certain state resources.

Requires undocumented immigrants to submit to the same level of background checks as lawful immigrants in order to use certain state resources.

Relates to nonhuman primates in testing and research facilities; provides that an animal testing facility no longer in need of a nonhuman primate in its possession shall consider options for and determine the appropriate care of such nonhuman primate, including releasing such nonhuman primate to a certified sanctuary; provides that a higher education research facility that receives public money, or a facility that provides research in collaboration with a higher education facility, shall annually publish certain information on its website concerning nonhuman primates at such facility.

Requires the arraignment of undocumented citizens who have committed violent crimes to occur within twenty-four hours and to determine at such arraignment whether such undocumented citizen shall be placed in the custody of federal immigration authorities or remain in the custody of the state.