New York Democrats Pass “Sanctuary State” Bill In Statement of Defiance

On Monday, Democrats in the New York State Assembly thumbed their nose at President Donald Trump.

Legislators in Trump’s home state passed A03049, the so-called New York State Liberty Act, in response to the new president’s recent actions regarding immigration.

Politico reports:

…Democrats who dominate the state Assembly passed a bill Monday that would make New York a “sanctuary state,” and members are poised to again pass legislation that would open tuition assistance programs to undocumented students.

“It is our job to respond to his call to build border walls with a wall of our own, one that protects diversity and acceptance that have always been at the core of our state,” Assemblyman Francisco Moya, a Democrat from Queens, said a press conference announcing the measure.

Among other things, the measure would severely limit what law enforcement officials can do. The bill would…

…prohibit state and local law enforcement from making arrests based on suspected immigration status and would prohibit state and local police officers from enforcing federal immigration laws.

The legislation would also limit when police agencies can collect data on immigration status from people reporting accidents or seeking help and would bar police from complying with federal immigration detention orders (or detainers) if they aren’t issued by a judge unless the individual in question has been convicted of a violent felony, has previously been deported, is on a terrorism watch list or has an outstanding warrant.

Neither Moya nor Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie estimated how much that provision would cost the state.

Protecting diversity in an already diverse nation is one thing. Restricting law enforcement to the point they cannot collect data or enforce laws is another thing entirely. As you’ll notice, Assemblyman Francisco Moya, the bill’s sponsor, isn’t sure what the cost would be. Not only might restrictions on police be costly in terms of public safety, but taxpayers would feel the pinch, too.

Thankfully, the bill was “political theater” more than anything. It barely passed the Assembly and has no chance in the Senate.

Republican Assemblyman Al Graf was not happy with his colleagues across the aisle.

…we’ve seen the actions of this new president, and I don’t think he’s bluffing when it comes to taking away federal money from the states. So if we’re playing with a third of our revenues, we could face a lot of problems here.”

With Democrats, it’s feel first, then jump, then think about the impact across the board.

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