Immigration
More New York Dems are calling for ICE to be abolished
A letter to Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries now has 143 electeds’ signatures.
Anti-ICE fervor is hitting a fever pitch among New York Democrats. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Support across New York for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is growing as more than 30 additional Democratic elected officials have signed on to an open letter demanding just that.
The letter addressed to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries originally had 107 signers when it was first released on July 20. Wednesday's additions bring the letter to 143 total signatories from Long Island to Buffalo.
“While (President Donald) Trump has escalated ICE’s operations, this did not begin with him,” the letter reads. “Past administrations have been complicit in ICE’s growing abuse of power, and the agency’s cruelty will continue regardless of who sits in the White House.”
Signatories of course include the usual suspects of democratic socialist elected officials and other left-wing progressives from New York City. After all, the effort is co-led by state Sen. Julia Salazar, Assembly Member Diana Moreno and New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif. But even the first round of signers included officials from the suburbs and upstate, as well as more traditionally moderate or centrist Democrats.
The new batch of signers include Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Assembly Members Phil Ramos of Long Island and Amy Paulin of Westchester, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Nassau County Legislator Steve Englebright, a former member of the Assembly.
The growing support of abolishing ICE among Democrats all over New York comes as Republican officials indicate they will double down on their support for President Donald Trump’s deportation agenda. Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, who is also the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, has said he doesn’t intend to adhere to a new state law banning formal 287(g) agreements with ICE. Officials in Rensselaer County, which also has such an agreement, said the same.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has not publicly supported abolishing ICE, told reporters at an unrelated event Tuesday that the state will vigorously enforce the new law, even if local law enforcement does not cooperate. “Let me be very clear: No county, no county executive, no sheriff is above the law,” she said.