On September 17, 2017 Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 170 which forbid “state officers or employees from inquiring about immigration status in most cases where that information isn’t directly necessary, and barred state officials from disclosing information to federal immigration authorities for the purposes of immigration enforcement.”

Anyone who takes the time to watch news reports about the increases in crime in our cities would be aware of the violence taking place. Gangs like MS-13 and recently Venezuela’s most notorious gang, Tren de Aragua (Train of Argua) are impacting the safety of our citizens. The recent attack on two NYC Police officers who were trying to break up a group of migrant men accused of acting disorderly outside a migrant shelter on January 27 has even resulted in Governor Hochul’s call for their deportation if found guilty. A New York City Hall spokesperson stated “Some 67,000 migrants are under New York City’s care, among more than 173,900 who’ve arrived in the city since spring 2022”. All New York State taxpayers are footing the bill for these sanctuary policies and increases in violence. Would Governor Hochul sign her own executive order reversing “170” to allow federal authorities to work with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE)? Probably not. New York State Republican lawmakers said they blame New York’s actions, “as well as federal authorities, for the precipitous increase in the number of people coming to New York seeking political asylum and immigration status. Many of the people seeking status in New York today were brought by bus from the southern border, but authorities say they have also seen an increase in the number of illegal crossings attempted at the northern border with Canada.”

On Tuesday, February 13th, Republican members of the Senate and Assembly in Albany rallied behind a bill, S.8533 and A.9167, that would end the prohibition on cooperation between state courts and law enforcement with federal immigration authorities. Both bills are currently in Committees. Request your Albany legislators on both sides of the aisle support the lawful citizens of the State and support this legislation.