President Trump’s border czar Tom Homan criticized New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo for his past support of sanctuary city and immigrant-welcoming policies. Homan specifically mentioned Cuomo’s signing of the Green Light Law in 2019 and the issuance of an executive order in 2017 that restricted state law enforcement from sharing certain immigration information with the federal government. Homan expressed his belief that Cuomo should not have a role in politics if he still supports sanctuary laws.
New York Republicans have joined forces with Homan to repeal the Green Light Law, which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses and limits data sharing with federal authorities. The lawmakers rallied in Albany to bring attention to their efforts to repeal the law and pass the Laken Riley Act, which aims to halt sanctuary policies. Representative Nicole Malliotakis, who voted against the Green Light Law in 2019, criticized Cuomo for implementing policies such as sanctuary state laws and free college for illegal immigrants while citizens face additional burdens.
State Senator George Borrello also voiced opposition to the Green Light Law, citing concerns that it restricts locals from collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies. He accused Cuomo of being a hypocrite for championing progressive policies and then claiming to be against them. Cuomo’s spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, defended the Green Light Law by stating that immigrants convicted of crimes are still subject to ICE enforcement. Azzopardi pointed out that several other states, both Democratic and Republican-led, have similar laws in place.
Azzopardi also mentioned that in 2020, the Trump administration targeted New York by removing the state from the Trusted Traveler Program due to concerns about the Green Light Law. However, after making adjustments to the law to address these concerns, the federal government accepted New York’s changes. Azzopardi highlighted the fact that the U.S. attorney at the time acknowledged the political nature of the Trump administration’s actions and publicly apologized for misleading statements made by federal officials. Despite the controversy surrounding the law, Azzopardi defended the Green Light Law and emphasized that it is similar to laws in other states.
The debate over the Green Light Law and sanctuary policies underscores the ongoing controversy surrounding immigration policies in the United States. Critics argue that these laws provide sanctuary for criminals and hinder law enforcement efforts, while supporters maintain that they are necessary to protect immigrant communities. The involvement of high-profile figures like Andrew Cuomo and Tom Homan in this debate further highlights the political divide on this issue. As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen how policymakers will address these concerns and find a balance between immigration enforcement and immigrant rights.
