By Hank Russell
State legislators passed a bill that they say will protect the safety of the residents, but Republicans see it as a way to make New York “a sanctuary state on steroids.”
Both houses of the state Legislature approved the Public Protection General Government budget bill on May 21. The legislation would, among other things, provide financial incentives to retain members of the New York National Guard, crack down on 3-D printed “ghost gun” and unauthorized drone usage and reform the auto insurance industry.
It would also deny funding for the construction and operation of immigration detention centers in local municipalities, preclude local governments and law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and forbid state employees from disclosing an individual’s immigration status to federal immigration officials.
In addition, it would prevent ICE officials from entering schools and wearing face coverings when interacting with the public, subject to a misdemeanor. The bill would also establish an Office of Immigrant Trust to be overseen by the Attorney General’s Office, which would allow people to report incidents of sharing one’s immigration status with immigration officials.
On May 21, the Assembly Ways and Means Committee passed the legislation by a 21-9 vote. Phil Ramos (D-Central Islip) voted for the bill, while Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Smithtown), Joe DeStefano (R-Medford) and Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead) voted against the bill. It was then referred to the Rules Committee, which passed the bill by a 19-8 vote. Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) voted for the bill, while Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Jarrett Gandolfo (R-Sayville) voted no. The state Senate approved the measure, 39-22.
“If law enforcement officers respect the Constitution, behave in a way that isn’t putting people’s lives in danger and sometimes their own, we’d have a different result right now,” said Asemblywoman Catalina Cruz (D-Corona), according to News10 in Albany.
“It is shameful that New York actively detains people for ICE, an agency that is ripping families apart and brutalizing people on the streets,” said Democratic State Senator Julia Salazar (D,WF-Bushwick).
Speaking out against the legislation, Ra said this would turn New York into “a sanctuary state on steroids, adding, “The state that endured the most disastrous and costly impacts of the migrant influx today took a major step to ensure history will repeat itself.”
When migrants were being transported to New York City, Ra said, state and city taxpayers were on the hook for $13 billion and Governor Kathy Hochul was forced to declare a migrant state of emergency.
“Here we are again,” Ra said. “This isn’t ‘public protection.’ It’s reckless and radical policymaking.”
Ra said the Republican members of the Assembly have introduced a Fight For New York immigration legislative package that he said “would protect taxpayer dollars, strengthen coordination between state, local and federal agencies and ensure immigration laws are enforced in a way that prioritizes the safety of New Yorkers.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman — whose county has an agreement with ICE on immigration enforcement and is running against Hochul — said the governor “just sent a message to killers, rapists, and gang members around the world: come to New York! Her latest pro-criminal policy shields thugs from arrest while forcing more ICE agents onto our streets. Every dangerous criminal protected by Kathy Hochul’s policies is another threat to innocent New Yorkers.”
The legislation now heads to Hochul’s desk, awaiting her signature.