Suozzi Sends Letters About Immigrant Crisis To Biden, House Leaders

GLEN COVE, NY — One of the main issues for voters in next month's special election is immigration and the southern border crisis, Tom Suozzi said.

On Tuesday, the Democratic candidate for George Santos' expelled seat in Congress sent letters to President Biden, and the leaders of the House, to "resolve this issue."

Suozzi faces Republican challenger Mazi Melesa Pilip, a Nassau County Legislator, in the Feb. 13 election.

One way to secure the border, Suozzi proposed an Ellis Island-type facility for the southern U.S. "to expedite the proceeding of migrants," he said in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

"We need the president to propose a comprehensive moderate solution," Suozzi said.

The former congressman, though, is a realist.

"Do I think my idea, because Tom Suozzi says we should do an Ellis Island on the southern border, is going to be adopted? Probably not. But, I'm trying to demonstrate that there is a bipartisan path forward here that accomplishes the objectives," he said.

With the election is Feb. 13, Suozzi has agreed to four debates with his lesser-known Republican challenger Pilip from Great Neck. Her camp has accepted one debate on Feb. 8.

"There's going to be a national spotlight on this race and, I think, we have to take advantage of that national spotlight and try to give the people what they want," Suozzi said.