‘Last thing we need’: Pols of the Sanctuary State of New York Want NYers to Pay $300M So Illegal Migrants Can Stay

A pair of Albany Democrats from New York City want taxpayers to pick up as much as $300 million in legal fees to help illegal immigrants fight deportation – despite worries it could also help potentially “dangerous people” stay in the country.

“We have a moral obligation to make sure that new Americans have legal representation. Otherwise, the odds are without a lawyer they’ll be sent back to their country of origin and could face dire circumstances, including death,” state Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) said of legislation he is sponsoring alongside Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz (D-Queens).

Legislators estimate the effort would cost $300 million once fully funded, with supporters pushing for a $55 million down payment next year.

But critics say the bill could hurt public safety and the state’s bottom line if enacted, especially as New York City is already grappling with an estimated $1 billion in costs tied to the flood of asylum-seeking migrants shipped here from the southern border since May.

“Many of the deportations that occur in New York State are because an undocumented individual commits an underlying crime unrelated to their immigration and is subsequently flagged by ICE,” state Sen. James Skoufis (D-Newburgh) told The Post.

“It is particularly concerning that this bill extends public funds to these situations that would potentially keep dangerous people in New York State,” he said.

The proposal would help any detained immigrant who meets certain requirements – no matter what criminal convictions triggered removal proceedings.

“With a financial crisis looming, and a mass exodus of New Yorkers for other states, the last thing we need is to foot the bill for a problem not of our doing,” New York City Councilman Bob Holden (D-Queens) said.

Federal immigration enforcement officials have highlighted in recent years how state and city sanctuary laws have blocked efforts to deport people whose rap sheets indicate a potential threat to public safety.

Other Democratic and Republican officials say spending millions on immigration lawyers will undermine efforts to get President Biden to take care of costs associated with the deluge of migrants sent to New York from places like Texas — by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the city of El Paso and the federal government itself.

New York City is currently grappling with getting federal help to cover more than $600 million in costs brought by thousands of migrants arriving in New York City to seek asylum. —>READ MORE HERE

Source