The date was September 15th, 2017.
The day then Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Executive Order #170. It was not legislation approved by the State Senator or Assembly.
With the stroke of a pen, Cuomo signed this Executive Order titled “State Policy Concerning Immigrant Access to State Services.”
In layman’s terms, this was the order that established New York State as a “sanctuary state” that welcomed illegal immigrants to the Empire State with open arms.
“No state officers or employees shall inquire about an individual’s immigration status.”
“No state officers or employees, including law enforcement officers, shall disclose information to federal immigration authorities for the purpose of federal civil immigration enforcement.”
“No law enforcement officers shall inquire about an individual’s immigration status.”
At the time, Governor Cuomo praised his own signing of this Executive Order.
"As Washington squabbles over rolling back sensible immigration policy, we are taking action to help protect all New Yorkers from unwarranted targeting by government," said Cuomo.
Now, Republicans across New York State make the argument that since all Andrew Cuomo had to do was sign a piece of paper with the stroke of a pen to establish New York as a Sanctuary state, all current Governor Kathy Hochul has to do to rescind this is sign a similar order striking this down.
While Republicans are calling for Hochul to immediately sign an Executive Order to repeal Cuomo’s order, they also introduced legislation that would require state and local law enforcement to notify federal authorities and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) any time they arrest an illegal alien.
“Governor Hochul and President Biden could take measures to reverse the massive influx of migrants with the stroke of their pens, but they continue to allow it unchecked – leaving New York taxpayers on the hook and our streets less safe,” said New York State Senate Minority Leader Robert G. Ortt.
“By undermining the authority of ICE and other federal agencies, Democrats threw gas on a fire and have no ability to get it under control,” added New York State Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay.
The proposed legislation would also repeal the “Protect Our Courts Act” of 2020. This basically blocks federal law enforcement from arresting illegal immigrants who happen to be in court facing other criminal charges.
“We must compel law enforcement at every level to cooperate with ICE, and strengthen our laws so that New York is no longer a preferred destination for illegal immigrants - especially those with criminal intent,” said New York State Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo.
These calls for immigration reform from Republicans depend on two things: 1) Hochul changing heart and signing an Executive Order rescinding Cuomo’s sanctuary state order. 2) Democrats in both the Assembly and Senate joining Republican efforts and signing this proposed bill.
Neither are probable.