State of New York Archives: on Immigration

Susan Rice: Viruses have no nationality and respect no borders

Trump just announced a counterproductive and ineffectual suspension of travel from much of Europe. By refusing to consult or even warn our closest allies, the United States alienated partners whose cooperation we always need to confront global challenges, including the coronavirus. Merely another feckless, if costly, way of blaming foreigners for our own problems, it does nothing to address the crisis already in our midst.

Wendy Long: Support physical walls, virtual walls, and official English

Why I'm Running
• Our borders are broken.
• There are terrorists on our soil.
• Our right of self-defense is in jeopardy.
• Illegal drugs are destroying our people.
• Middle class wages are falling.
• It's time to put American workers first.
• It's time to let Americans have the dignity of work and good wages.
• It's time to stop pitting Americans against each other.
• We can get our beloved country back.

John Katko: Tough, fair reform that restores the rule of law

Lee Zeldin: Secure the borders, then deal with 11 million illegals

John Katko: Require illegal immigrants to return to country of origin

A: Yes. American is a nation built on laws. Any immigration reform must respect those immigrants who have played by the rules despite economic hardship or short term family separation.

America needs a realistic approach to immigration that is tough, fair and practical: tough in terms of better enforcement and border security; fair meaning that taxpayers should not have to shoulder unfair burdens; and practical so that any reform effectively addresses the problem and restores the rule of law.

Zephyr Teachout: Immigrants are a pillar of our economy

One group affected deeply is undocumented students, who must routinely forego higher education because they cannot access the state's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Without papers, there is no aid.

Another basic problem confronting undocumented residents is that they cannot get a driver's license. This forces them into situations where they are breaking the law every time they drop-off a child at school or make a trip to the hardware store, and fosters a culture of fear of law enforcement.

Bob Turner: Wouldn't report illegal immigrant working in his own home

Joe DioGuardi: Shut down the borders before we reform anything

But Gillibrand said the time is ripe for comprehensive immigration reform. She defended her previous opposition to former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to issue government IDs to undocumented immigrants, saying it's an issue best addressed on the federal level. "That is something I would certainly look into, and we want to make sure that folks have the ability to get an ID," Gillibrand said. "But it's best done in a comprehensive bill because these are all the issues that we need to actually address."

Kirsten Gillibrand: Government IDs for illegals as part of comprehensive reform

But Gillibrand said the time is ripe for comprehensive immigration reform. She defended her previous opposition to former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to issue government IDs to undocumented immigrants, saying it's an issue best addressed on the federal level. "That is something I would certainly look into, and we want to make sure that folks have the ability to get an ID," Gillibrand said. "But it's best done in a comprehensive bill because these are all the issues that we need to actually address."

Rob Astorino: Illegal immigrants drive up costs of services

ASTORINO: We have to make a distinction here. County government has grown tremendously over the last 8 years... last 12 years... to the point where it is becoming unsustainable. Property taxes in Westchester are unsustainable. You can't keep doubling and tripling at the rate of inflation property taxes. It's driving people out. And when you say more people are moving in, that's not necessarily true.

HOST: Population is growing though in Westchester.

ASTORINO: But look who is coming in, they need more services. It's not people who necessarily can keep a house, it's people who are moving in from the Bronx or... you know, who is counted too, it could be illegal immigrants. And when you say illegal I don't want to make that into a nasty term, it's people who aren't here, legally, you know, and they do need services.