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Bill de Blasio on Immigration
NYC Mayor; Democratic Presidential Challenger
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11 million immigrants are here now and part of America
It's all kind of charade because there's 11 million people here, and everyone, in theory, has broken the law, but they're part of our communities now. They're part of our economy. They're our neighbors. Why are we even discussing on one
level whether it's a civil penalty or a criminal penalty, when it's an American reality? And what we need is comprehensive immigration, once and for all, to fix it.
Source: July Democratic Primary debate (second night in Detroit)
, Jul 31, 2019
Undocumented folks core to our economy
Let's have a path to citizenship for 11 or 12 million people who have been here decades. This is the greatest don't ask/don't tell in American history. For decades, we have had millions and millions of undocumented folks. And they're core to our economy
at this point. And they're part of our communities. We could have a rational immigration system. We could have clear border security, and it could be done in a way that actually helps our economy function and creates fairness.
Source: CNN "SOTU" 2019 on 2020 candidates
, Jul 14, 2019
Immigration policy & crisis does not reflect our values
We have to change the discussion about in this country because look at the bottom line here. That tragic photo of that parent [Oscar Martinez and his 23-month-old daughter, Valeria, who died trying to cross the Rio Grande seeking asylum], that child--
and I'm saying this as a father. Every American should feel that in their heart, every American should say that is not America, those are not our values.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (first night in Miami)
, Jun 26, 2019
Supports sanctuary cities; would abolish ICE
He supports sanctuary city policies and has vowed to fight the Trump administration's plans to strip them of federal funding.
He has opposed ICE crackdowns, before calling for the agency to be abolished. He has even unveiled his plans to provide health care coverage for illegal immigrants.
Source: Townhall.com: "The 2020 Democrats" (presidential hopefuls)
, May 18, 2019
End cooperation & presence of ICE in NYC
Decreased Cooperation with ICE: Mayor de Blasio signed into law a bill to end the presence of ICE at all City facilities, including Rikers Island, and dramatically reduced the
City's cooperation with federal ICE detainers for low-level offenses. Now, the City will only cooperate in cases involving serious, and violent, crimes.
Source: 2020 Presidential Campaign website BillDeBlasio.com
, May 2, 2019
Protect DACA immigrants, no matter what
Protecting DACA: Mayor de Blasio vowed to pushed back against President Trump's decision on DACA. With over 30,000 New Yorkers affected by this policy, the Mayor assured them that their city stands with them: no matter what.
The Mayor committed to fighting against the President and his policy, and continuing to put New Yorkers first and protecting them in any way possible.
Source: 2020 Presidential Campaign website BillDeBlasio.com
, May 2, 2019
NYC will always be the ultimate city of immigrants
[After President Trump suggested that illegal immigrants be sent to "sanctuary cities" such as NYC]: President Trump has yet again proven that the only constant in his immigration policy is cruelty.
He uses people like pawns. New York City will always be the ultimate city of immigrants--the President's empty threats won't change that.
Source: Mayoral press release, "Undocumented," NYC.gov
, Apr 12, 2019
Fight the inhumane detention of children at the border
We didn't just sit still and watch what Donald Trump was doing to our city and to the rest of this country. We took him on. We sent lawyers to the border to fight the inhumane detention of children.Remember early in his administration when Trump
tried to force us to ask New Yorkers their immigration status? And he thought he had us, because he threatened to block our law enforcement funding, the very money we use to keep New Yorkers safe. Guess what happened? We took him to court and we won.
Source: 2019 State of the City address
, Jan 10, 2019
Detaining Muslim travelers is simply un-American
Q: You oppose Donald Trump's new executive orders on immigration and refugee policy. The NYC airports were chaotic; was there any guidance about this new policy?DE BLASIO: No, there was no guidance. And that's why there is so much confusion here.
But let's be clear. President Trump's executive order is simply un-American. It is suggesting that people's civil liberties can be taken away, even if they are green card holders,. I have read this executive order. It makes no distinction if someone is
already recognized on the pathway to citizenship. It makes no distinction if you have served in the U.S. military previously. You still can be detained. In this country, the notion of detention without due process, without probable cause, violates our
constitutional norms. And the exception for individuals suggests, bluntly, non-Muslims: that should be very, very worrisome, as the first step towards a Muslim registry, which, again, would be un-American and unacceptable.
Source: CNN "State of the Union" 2017 interview by Jake Tapper
, Jan 29, 2017
Greater outreach and assistance to immigrant entrepreneurs
New York's immigrant communities are a continuing source of entrepreneurial activity and can play a key role in creating new jobs. But the city is not providing sufficient assistance to these groups. 92% of immigrant businesses reported receiving no
services to start or sustain their businesses--with 51% unaware of the services available to them. De Blasio proposed a series of programs for the city to improve its support for immigrant entrepreneurs, including greater outreach and technical assistanc
Source: 2013 Mayoral campaign website, www.billdeblasio.com
, Oct 22, 2013
Created privately-funded the DREAM fellowship
Creating DREAM Scholarships: Working through the New York Immigration Coalition and additional non-profit funding, Bill de Blasio created the DREAM fellowship--a scholarship and leadership development program for undocumented college students.
Beyond helping dozens of students, the initiative has highlighted the need for enactment of national and state DREAM Act legislation. A second cohort of students just completed the spring semester with the aid of this program
Source: 2013 Mayoral campaign website, www.billdeblasio.com
, Oct 22, 2013
Universal City ID for services for undocumented immigrants
- Offer a Universal City ID Card to Residents: Bill de Blasio believes it's time for a city-backed ID card that will allow all residents--including undocumented immigrants--to access basic services like opening a bank account. These identification
cards will also help foster better relations between the police and undocumented people, who often choose not to report crimes out of fear they may be deported.
- Allow Undocumented New Yorkers Access to Driver's Licenses: This will improve roadway
safety by getting undocumented people who are already driving on our streets into driver's education classes and covered by auto insurance.
- End Cooperation With Federal 'Detainer Requests' For Minor Violations: The "federal detainer" process compels
local police to hand over legal and undocumented immigrants to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement--even for minor crimes committed years ago. [These should apply only to] those who have been convicted of serious felonies.
Source: 2013 Mayoral campaign website, www.billdeblasio.com
, Oct 22, 2013
Page last updated: Dec 14, 2019