Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the “Protect Our Courts Act” Tuesday and issued a statement saying the bill ensures that New Yorkers “have their day in court” without the worry of being targeted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as reported by the New York Law Journal.

Defender groups in New York city have lauded the move. “Today marks a new day for all New Yorkers seeking to participate in our judicial system. Our clients and all those who attend court can now do so without fear of ICE’s predatory and unconstitutional enforcement,” reads a statement from The Legal Aid Society.

“New York has sent a clear message to federal immigration agents, and all those who propagate nationalist and xenophobic ideas, that ICE’s illegal enforcement tactics are not welcome and will not be tolerated here.”