Republicans who have repeatedly made the case that today’s Democrat Party moves heaven and earth to protect illegal immigrants are once again sounding the alarm.
Republicans in New York are pointing to the arrest of a woman accused of plotting an ISIS-inspired bombing of the state Capitol as evidence of the importance of cooperation between local and federal law enforcement.
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Rather than immediately turning the alleged terrorist plot into a broader attack on Democrats or radical Islamic terrorism, GOP leaders praised authorities for working together to disrupt the alleged attack before it could be carried out.
But the response also carried a clear political message.
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Republicans are using the case to criticize a new state immigration law that prohibits local police departments from maintaining formal partnerships with federal immigration authorities, arguing that such restrictions could undermine the type of cooperation that helped prevent the alleged Capitol attack.
Under the new law, municipalities must terminate existing formal agreements with federal immigration authorities beginning Tuesday.
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The measure has already triggered a legal confrontation between Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and President Donald Trump’s administration, which is challenging the law.
While most law enforcement agencies have indicated they intend to comply, Republicans are warning that the restrictions could create confusion and weaken cooperation between federal and local authorities.
The issue is quickly becoming part of the GOP’s public safety message heading into a difficult midterm election.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, a Nassau County executive, has been particularly outspoken in defending his county’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement through the federal 287(g) program.
Blakeman pointed to the benefits of cooperation between different levels of law enforcement while responding to the alleged terrorist plot, using the case to reinforce his argument that New York should be strengthening such partnerships rather than restricting them.
“When local and federal law enforcement work together, terrorists are caught before they can hurt innocent Americans,” Blakeman said in a statement to City & State.
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Blakeman has not said whether Nassau County will terminate its existing agreements with federal immigration authorities as required under the new state law while he campaigns against Hochul for governor.
But he is already making the policy a significant campaign issue as polls indicate the gubernatorial contest is becoming increasingly competitive.
“This foiled plot is a powerful reminder that cooperation saves lives – and a wake-up call to Kathy Hochul that putting up walls between local and federal law enforcement doesn’t make New Yorkers safer; it puts families in danger,” he said.
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Hochul’s campaign responded by criticizing Trump’s past attempts to withhold federal funding for public safety measures because of New York’s and New York City’s status as a “sanctuary” for illegal aliens.
“When Donald Trump tried to defund $187 million in (New York City Police Department) counterterrorism funding, Gov. Hochul got it back – and fought to keep New Yorkers safe while Bruce Blakeman didn’t lift a finger,” Hochul campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki said in a statement.
But Hochul’s hands-off policies regarding non-citizens has actually made New Yorkers less safe, Blakeman and Republicans have countered, citing several murders and other crimes committed by illegal aliens the governor and Democrats who run the state and city refuse to hand over to federal immigration authorities.
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State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt reiterated Blakeman’s response in a statement on X following the attempted attack, also linking the incident to the new immigration law.
“The announcement regarding an ISIS-inspired terrorist plot targeting our state Capitol building is not only disturbing, but reinforces why law enforcement at all levels must communicate and work together for the safety and well-being of New Yorkers,” Ortt said.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
