New York Attorney General Letitia James announced today that her office will deploy state-trained legal observers to document ICE enforcement activity across New York. Volunteers will wear purple vests, serve as neutral witnesses, and record federal conduct without interfering in operations. Her office also opened a portal for residents to submit their own footage.

This is the first program of its kind run by a state attorney general's office. Other states have encouraged residents to film enforcement actions, but no other AG has committed state personnel to the work of witnessing.

Observation changes behavior. Federal agents who know their conduct will be documented and potentially litigated think twice. Communities gain an official record to challenge unlawful actions. Patterns of abuse become visible.

Every state attorney general with a sanctuary city in their jurisdiction should launch their own observation program. California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon. The infrastructure is simple: trained volunteers, identifiable vests, documentation protocols, a public portal. James gave them the blueprint.

If your AG has not announced a similar initiative, call their office and ask why not.

Two Americans ( and countless others detained, arrested, and disappeared without process) are already dead in Minneapolis. Renée Good on January 7. Alex Pretti on January 24. Federal agents shot them both. We cannot wait for the next state to learn what happens when this administration’s zelous enforcement operates without oversight.