NY Dems block ‘common sense’ bill named for Laken Riley to reverse migrant sanctuary laws
Albany Democrats on Tuesday effectively killed “Laken’s Law,’’ a bill that would have forced New York authorities to notify federal immigration officials when they arrest migrants.
The proposed legislation — named after the University of Georgia student allegedly killed by a migrant earlier this year — was all but dead on arrival in the lefty-controlled state assembly. But Republicans tried a procedural maneuver Tuesday to at least force Democrats to consider the bill in the chamber’s Codes Committee.
The proposal was swiftly tabled — with little likelihood of being brought up before lawmakers leave Albany in a few weeks, essentially killing it.
The bill would require local law enforcement to send arrest records and fingerprints to Immigration and Customs Enforcement whenever the New York authorities arrest a non-citizen.
Riley’s accused killer entered the country illegally, claimed asylum, then failed to appear in US court on a later shoplifting charge.
He ended up being busted on a felony in New York City for allegedly endangering his 5-year-old stepson.
He was then freed before ICE could try to stop his release and went on to allegedly kill the nursing student.
Assemblyman Jarrett Gandolfo (R-Long Island) introduced the bill earlier this year after a group of migrants were arrested over a brawl with two cops in Times Square, then freed before ICE could be notified.
“Laken’s Law is common-sense legislation which would protect New Yorkers and ensure criminal migrants are held accountable,” said Jarrett Gandolfo (R-Long Island), the bill’s sponsor, in a statement.
“Because of today’s vote, New York will remain a preferred destination of people illegally crossing our southern border, especially those who intend to commit crimes,” he said.
Gandolfo and Republicans hoped the law would counteract so-called “Sanctuary City” policies adopted by the Big Apple and some other Democrat-led municipalities that help protect migrants by limiting the cooperation between local and federal authorities when it comes to immigration law.
But Codes Committee Chairman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) said in Tuesday’s meeting, “New York has held the position of protecting those who are coming to this country for a better life and to protect against aggressive immigration enforcement.
“This bill requires notification to ICE for somebody who’s accused — accused — of an offense which would result in their deportation and not everybody supports that,” he continued.
Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay (R-Oswego) fired back in a statement to the Post, “Today’s vote shows New York Democrats are far more interested in protecting their ‘sanctuary’ policies than protecting the rest of us.”
