Immigration enforcement is rising as a burning situation within the race for governor.
Presumptive Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman accused Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul Sunday of issuing industrial truck driver’s licenses to unlawful immigrants.
Blakeman stated that beneath Hochul’s watch, greater than half of New York’s industrial trucking licenses have gone to drivers who’re within the nation illegally, with some licenses issued itemizing drivers as “No Title Given” or “non-domiciled.”
Hochul’s Division of Motor Automobiles is issuing CDLs with out verifying authorized standing or everlasting residence, conflicting with federal security requirements, he stated.
“Governor Hochul is knowingly placing New Yorkers at risk. She is handing out industrial licenses to individuals who ought to by no means be behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound truck, and the implications have been lethal,” stated Blakeman, at present the Nassau County govt.
In actual fact, the New York DMV did really situation CDL’s with “no title given”, which the Publish reported on final fall.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt reported {that a} man caught up in a raid that ensnared 125 unlawful immigrants in his state had a New York industrial driver’s license with “No Title Given” within the place of his first and center monikers.
The DMV stated then the driving force’s license was issued in accordance with procedures with the driving force’s id verified via federal paperwork, and that the driving force had “lawful standing” via a federal employment authorization program.
Hochul’s workplace repeated that line on Sunday, and famous the principles governing CDL’s are set by the federal authorities in D.C., not in Albany.
New York has a separate legislation enabling unlawful aliens to acquire a common driver’s license.
Blakeman additionally blamed Hochul’s coverage for 2 deadly accidents with Hochul’s coverage responsible.
In Tennessee final December 9, Yisong Huang, an unlawful immigrant who allegedly obtained a New York CDL, brought on an enormous multi-vehicle crash on I-40, killing one driver and injuring others.
In Indiana final November 14, Goderdzi Gujabidze, an unlawful immigrant from Brooklyn holding a New York industrial license, brought on a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 65, killing 23-year-old Indiana Nationwide Guardsman Terry Frye.
“Hochul’s insurance policies create a system the place people with out the correct vetting and coaching — and even these with revoked licenses — can legally drive large vans via our communities. That’s an unacceptable public security failure,” Blakeman stated.
“My administration will restore widespread sense and public security,” Blakeman stated. “For each CDL handed out to somebody within the nation illegally, we’ll give a CDL to a hard-working New Yorker who performs by the principles.”
Blakeman’s views on immigration enforcement are in step with his pal, President Trump.
Hochul’s marketing campaign defended her public security document.
“Whereas Governor Hochul has made document investments in public security and labored with legislation enforcement to carry crime down, Bruce Blakeman really let violent crime go up in Nassau, hitting ten-year highs, withheld funding for native legislation enforcement, and refused to elevate a finger when Trump tried to defund the NYPD — as a result of he’d fairly defend Donald Trump than his personal constituents,” stated Hochul marketing campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki.
In the meantime, Hochul is supporting sanctuary or anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement insurance policies.
Throughout her State of the State deal with final week, Hochul stated she would push laws to bar ICE raids at delicate areas corresponding to faculties, homes of worship and hospitals with out a judicial warrant.
She additionally helps a measure going after “unchecked federal aggression,” permitting New Yorkers to sue ICE and different federal brokers for violating their constitutional rights in state courtroom.
Hochul’s views are in sync with Democrats outraged over alleged abuses of ICE officers, together with the controversial deadly capturing of Renee Nicole Good, 37, in Minneapolis.
