New York's Governor Hochul Falls Short on Immigrant Protections
Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed several measures to support immigrants in New York, but critics say they do not go far enough. The governor's proposals include barring the use of state resources for immigration enforcement and creating new avenues for those harmed by abusive practices to bring legal claims against ICE officers.
However, advocates argue that these measures are insufficient, and that a more comprehensive approach is needed. Rosa Cohen-Cruz, immigration policy director for The Bronx Defenders, stated that Hochul's proposals "fall short of what is required." She called on the governor to support the New York for All Act, a pending state bill that would block both state and local officers from enforcing federal immigration laws and sharing sensitive information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, absent a judicial warrant.
The New York for All Act is a more comprehensive approach than Hochul's proposals, which critics argue will still allow local governments to cooperate with ICE in certain circumstances. Natalia Aristizabal, the deputy director of Make the Road New York, urged Hochul to support the bill, stating that it is "the only legislation on the table that would accomplish" some of the governor's proposed measures.
State Republicans have also expressed opposition to the bill, saying that they believe the federal government should be responsible for immigration enforcement. However, advocates argue that this approach has led to an increase in aggressive tactics by ICE agents and has had devastating consequences for immigrant communities.
Hochul's proposals do include some significant protections for immigrants, such as prohibiting the use of state resources for immigration enforcement and seeking to prohibit ICE officers from entering schools and hospitals for civil immigration enforcement unless they have judicial warrants. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient, and that a more comprehensive approach is needed to truly protect immigrant communities.
Overall, Hochul's proposals demonstrate a willingness to take steps to support immigrants in New York, but advocates argue that more needs to be done to address the systemic issues that affect this community.
Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed several measures to support immigrants in New York, but critics say they do not go far enough. The governor's proposals include barring the use of state resources for immigration enforcement and creating new avenues for those harmed by abusive practices to bring legal claims against ICE officers.
However, advocates argue that these measures are insufficient, and that a more comprehensive approach is needed. Rosa Cohen-Cruz, immigration policy director for The Bronx Defenders, stated that Hochul's proposals "fall short of what is required." She called on the governor to support the New York for All Act, a pending state bill that would block both state and local officers from enforcing federal immigration laws and sharing sensitive information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, absent a judicial warrant.
The New York for All Act is a more comprehensive approach than Hochul's proposals, which critics argue will still allow local governments to cooperate with ICE in certain circumstances. Natalia Aristizabal, the deputy director of Make the Road New York, urged Hochul to support the bill, stating that it is "the only legislation on the table that would accomplish" some of the governor's proposed measures.
State Republicans have also expressed opposition to the bill, saying that they believe the federal government should be responsible for immigration enforcement. However, advocates argue that this approach has led to an increase in aggressive tactics by ICE agents and has had devastating consequences for immigrant communities.
Hochul's proposals do include some significant protections for immigrants, such as prohibiting the use of state resources for immigration enforcement and seeking to prohibit ICE officers from entering schools and hospitals for civil immigration enforcement unless they have judicial warrants. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient, and that a more comprehensive approach is needed to truly protect immigrant communities.
Overall, Hochul's proposals demonstrate a willingness to take steps to support immigrants in New York, but advocates argue that more needs to be done to address the systemic issues that affect this community.