'Sanctuary State' Legislation Proposed For NY [POLL]

Bills proposing to make New York a place where immigrants in the country illegally could avoid detention by federal authorities in most cases haven't gained traction in the past, primarily due to Republican control of the Legislature. "Sanctuary state" legislation is being pushed again, now that the Senate and Assembly are Democratic majorities, by Sen. Jose Serrano Jr., of the Bronx.

He said the timing is right to make the state on par with policies in effect for New York City, the New York Post said.

Serrano is hoping he can build a consensus for his "Dignity for Immigrants in New York State Act."

If it becomes the law of the state, New York would join Connecticut, California and others in offering protection to undocumented immigrants.

According to the Center for Immigration Studies, Albany, Ithaca and New York City, as well as Nassau, Franklin, Onondaga, St. Lawrence and Wayne counties are among those that are considered sanctuary jurisdictions.

Those cities and counties have laws, policies or other practices that "obstruct immigration enforcement and shield criminals from ICE — either by refusing to or prohibiting agencies from complying with ICE detainers," Jessica Vaughan, the center's director of policy studies, said.

Such a move to make New York a sanctuary state would be in line with other pro-immigration actions out of Albany, such as making immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children eligible for college tuition aid, which was enacted in January.

The state is also mulling whether to let illegal immigrants get driver's licenses, USAToday said.

Last year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order banning ICE arrests in all executive agencies without a court order.

There is no companion bill in the Assembly to what Serrano is proposing in the Senate, and he stresses that it would not protect individuals who have committed violent felonies and some misdemeanors.

In spite of that, Republicans such Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua, are against it, syracuse.com said.

"New York Democrats won't be happy until they abandon every basic rule or law that governs our nation and protects our citizens," he said.

Now it's your turn. Do you think New York should become a sanctuary state? Vote in our unscientific poll and tell us what you think by leaving a comment.