Assembly BillIntroduced
A 5653: 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.
What A 5653 does, verified January 10, 2026
The proposed law aims to give municipalities the option to decide how to handle undocumented immigrants seeking asylum in the United States. It allows towns, cities, and counties to opt-in to a requirement that shelters these immigrants in their locality, rather than forcing them to be housed elsewhere. If a locality chooses not to opt-in, it cannot seek to shelter these immigrants in their area. The law defines "sheltered" as temporary or permanent housing provided by a state or local government entity. The law takes effect immediately.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: referred to local governments (2026-01-07)Alert me
Quick answers about A 5653
- What is the current status of A 5653?
- As of January 10, 2026, A 5653 is recorded as "Introduced": it has been introduced and is waiting for its first committee hearing or floor vote. The last recorded action, on January 7, 2026, was "referred to local governments".
- Did A 5653 pass?
- Not yet. A 5653 has been introduced and has not passed either house.
- Who wrote A 5653, and where is it now?
- A 5653 was authored by Asm. William Barclay with 12 coauthors. Its committee of record is Assembly Local Government.
Author and sponsors
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions2 total · showing 2
| Jan. 07, 2026 | referred to local governments |
| Feb. 19, 2025 | referred to local governments |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 19, 2025 · 307 words
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 5653 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY February 19, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. BARCLAY, REILLY, BRABENEC, MORINELLO, WALSH, PALMESANO, PIROZZOLO, HAWLEY, JENSEN, McDONOUGH, FRIEND, E. BROWN, SMITH, GANDOLFO, K. BROWN, ANGELINO, SLATER, MIKULIN, SIMPSON, TAGUE, GRAY, GALLAHAN, DeSTEFANO, DURSO, BEEPHAN, BENDETT, MILLER, MANKTELOW, MAHER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to local opt-in of migrant housing The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 29-l 2 to read as follows: 3 § 29-l. Local opt-in of migrant housing; municipal control and 4 preemption. 1. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, rule, 5 regulation or executive order, any requirement that undocumented immi- 6 grants who are seeking asylum in the United States be sheltered in a 7 certain locality or localities shall only apply to those towns, cities, 8 and counties that opt-in to such requirement through the adoption of a 9 local law or ordinance. Moreover, no locality shall seek or attempt to 10 shelter undocumented immigrants who are seeking asylum in the United 11 States in a town, city, or county that has not expressly agreed to do so 12 through the adoption of local law or ordinance. 13 2. For the purpose of this section, the term "sheltered" shall 14 include, but not be limited to, being temporarily or permanently placed 15 into housing, dwelling, or living quarters by a state or local govern- 16 mental entity. 17 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD05148-01-5
Text of A 5653 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions