New York Governor Kathy Hochul is reportedly under increasing pressure to temporarily suspend the city's "sanctuary city" laws, as concerns escalate over the potential threats posed by migrants, particularly in relation to terrorism.
This pressure is coming from members of the New York City Council, who are voicing their fears in the face of rising crime rates.
According to The Post Millennial, council members Robert Holden (D-Queens), Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island), and others from the "Common Sense Caucus" penned a letter on Wednesday, expressing their concerns. They stated, "New York City is a prime target for terrorism, and we cannot afford to be complacent in the face of such threats."
The council members further highlighted the recent surge in violent crime, including incidents involving migrant gangs in Central Park and Queens parks. They said, "The recent surge in violent crime, including incidents involving migrant gangs in Central Park and Queens parks where they have been reported to be raping, robbing, assaulting, and even shooting at police officers demands immediate and decisive action."
The letter also drew attention to several high-profile incidents involving illegal immigrants with ties to terrorist networks. In one such incident in June, Tajikistani nationals illegally residing in the country were found to be connected to ISIS-K and were subsequently arrested in New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.
Governor Hochul holds the power to temporarily suspend the citys sanctuary status through an executive order. However, any permanent changes to the law must be approved by the New York City Council.
New York Citys sanctuary city laws have been in place since 1989, originally intended to encourage noncitizens who become victims of crime to reach out to law enforcement without fear of deportation. However, under the tenure of former Mayor Bill de Blasio, the sanctuary status was expanded to limit the NYPDs cooperation with federal authorities like ICE.
Current Mayor Eric Adams has previously voiced support for reducing these restrictions. In February, Adams proposed loosening these rules so that illegal immigrants suspected of "serious" crimes could be handed over to ICE, in an effort to enhance the citys safety and security. This proposal, along with the current pressure on Governor Hochul, underscores the growing concern over the city's safety amid rising crime rates and potential terrorist threats.
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