December 14, 2024
Recently, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) signed onto a letter written by Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (R,C-Sayville) along with other members of the Assemblyman Republican Conference that calls on Gov. Hochul to repeal Executive Order 170. Former Gov. Cuomo issued this executive order and essentially made New York a sanctuary state by not allowing state offices and employees to share workers’ immigration status with federal authorities, as well as prohibiting local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with ICE officials when a migrant commits a crime.
They point to the large number of those in the country, and particularly New York, illegally who are facing criminal charges as well as the exorbitant amount of taxpayer money New York is spending on illegal migrants as reasons to repeal sanctuary state status.
In their letter, Palmesano, Gandolfo and their colleagues wrote, “Over the past three years, New York State has sent $4.3 billion directly to New York City for costs related to the ongoing migrant crisis, unfortunately, it appears likely that the upcoming budget will include several billion more. Additionally, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), there are approximately 58,000 illegal migrants present in New York City who are convicted felons or facing criminal charges, over 1,000 of which are suspected or known gang members. In September it was reported that migrants account for a large percentage of arrests in New York City.”
“It is a fact that New York is spending more on illegal migrants than on our veterans, seniors and homeless combined. This is wrong! If the governor wants to crack down on crime and do right by the taxpayer, she will move swiftly to end New York’s sanctuary status now. Gov. Hochul claims to want to remove illegal migrants who commit crimes from the state and says she wants to help end the migrant crisis. The good news for her is she has the executive authority to do so. Because New York was made a sanctuary state by executive order, she does not need legislative approval to repeal it. I urge her to act and do so today,” said Palmesano.
