OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Governor Hochul of New York discussed her state’s approach to cooperating with ICE compared to New York City’s sanctuary policies.
While the state allows cooperation with ICE when crimes are committed, as she believes they should, Hochul did not explicitly endorse NYC Mayor Adams’ push to change the city’s sanctuary status to more easily deport migrants accused of serious crimes before trial.
Hochul emphasized that the vast majority of migrants are law-abiding and that crimes should not define the issue.
“The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams (D), he’s trying to make moves on this right now, saying that he wants to basically change the city’s sanctuary city status in order to make it easier to deport migrants who are accused of serious crimes…before that’s even worked its way through courts. Do you agree with that move?” Kate Bolduan asked.
She wants those convicted of crimes against New Yorkers to be punished in state prisons first before possible deportation.
However, she acknowledged NYC can set its own policies and that the migrant crisis needs to be solved given recent high-profile crimes.
“What I would say is the State of New York has a different sanctuary policy. We are allowed to work with federal immigration officials when a crime has been committed, as we should be able to. And what we want to have happen in the State of New York, if someone commits a crime like the horrific assault by migrants against police officers in Times Square, I immediately said, I want them arrested, tried, and if convicted, I want them to spend time in New York jails before they are deported, because if they’re released, go back to their country, I don’t know if they won’t be back in the next few months. So, I think we have more control, at least under New York State laws,” Hochul said.
“Now the city has a different view and they can do — choose the path they want to, but also, it’s a crisis that we need solved right now. We should not even be talking about crimes being committed by migrants in the streets of New York, and the vast majority of them are law-abiding citizens. They truly are. They came here for a better life, and I don’t want to highlight those who committed crimes. They do exist. They exist in every society, but right now, the State of New York has the power to work with ICE when these situations occur,” she said.
“Because the difference is, is that Eric Adams seems to want them to be able to be deported before [they’re] tried and convicted of a crime. You think that is a bad move?” Bolduan asked.
Hochul said, “Well, that is not consistent with our policy at the state level. We work with people. We want them to — I want people to have a punishment when they commit a crime against a New Yorker. I want to make sure that happens. That’s very important to me.”
