The New York State Assembly has approved Democratic-backed measures that would make the entire state a sanctuary for illegal immigrants.
The package backed by Speaker Carl Heastie bans state or local law enforcement from questioning or arresting a person based on their immigration status. It says people shouldn’t be asked their immigration status when applying for state or local government services. Those agencies would also have to keep their clients’ immigration status private, and people threatened with federal deportation would be guaranteed legal representation.
The bill isn’t likely to pass the State Senate, which is controlled by a coalition of Republicans and conservative Democrats.
Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle of Irondequoit says he was proud to support the package. He says it means fair and ethical treatment for all New Yorkers. Republican Assemblyman Steve Hawley of Batavia called it a package of bills passed by “New York City liberals” that is irresponsible and downright dangerous. Hawley says we shouldn’t be using New York tax dollars to protect people who are here illegally.