Standing alongside President Trump’s Border Czar” Tom Homan, the State Senate and Assembly Republican Conferences promoted two pieces of legislation that would restore cooperation between local and state law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities and enhance security measurers at the northern border.
The first bill, “Laken’s Law” (S.2538/A.2262), which Senator Tom O’Mara co-sponsors, would restore cooperation between New York courts and law enforcement and federal immigration authorities when an illegal immigrant is arrested or detained. The measure is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old University of Georgia student tragically murdered in February 2024 by an illegal immigrant with an alarming criminal history. Her killer, illegal immigrant Jose Ibarra, had an extensive criminal history yet sanctuary laws on the books in New York allowed him to walk free after being arrested for reckless endangerment of a child, and then travel to Georgia where he murdered Riley in broad daylight as she was out for a jog.
A second proposal (S.1427/A.1528), which O’Mara also co-sponsors, would repeal the “Green Light Law” to exempt counties that share a border with Canada from the provisions of the 2019 law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain a driver’s licence and restricted information sharing between state and federal authorities.
Senator O’Mara said, “Laken Riley has become a national symbol for the abysmal and tragic failure of the state and national Democrats’ insane border policies and inaction. Her death could have been prevented right here in New York State if Governor Hochul and legislative Democrats had acted long before then to recognize the danger, reverse so-called ‘sanctuary’ policies, and stop a clearly dangerous and out-of-control border crisis that was taking root in New York and sweeping across the nation.”
Assemblyman Phil Palmesano on calling for the repeal of the Green Light Law.
“While Gov. Hochul and Albany Democrats will tell you the Green Light Law is simply about making sure everyone driving on the streets has a license, that is simply not true,” said Assemblyman Palmesano. “If that were true, they wouldn’t have also included a provision that bars ICE from obtaining data from the DMV. This is just another misplaced policy pushed by New York Democrats to protect illegal immigrants at the expense of public safety, and it must be repealed.”
Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said, “The migrant crisis has raged out of control in New York as a direct result of open border and sanctuary policies enacted by Democrats at the state and federal levels. It’s refreshing to see the new administration taking definitive action to secure our borders and remove those here illegally who are making our communities less safe. It’s a great honor to be joined today by Border Czar Tom Homan, to thank him for his efforts, and urge that New York finally take action to put an end to policies that tie the hands of our law enforcement agencies so they can fully cooperate with our federal counterparts.”
Assemblyman Republican Leader Will Barclay said, “This is a matter of public safety that should transcend partisan politics. There should be no debate. For years, we have been calling for stronger protections for our citizens surrounding the dangers posed by illegal migrants only to face opposition from Democrats. It’s common sense to secure our borders and restore full cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Anything less jeopardizes the safety of our communities.”
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