New York state lawmakers are haggling over whether to allow local police departments to share information with federal immigration authorities about undocumented immigrants who are convicted of certain crimes.
Determining exactly which crimes and exactly how communication would occur is the principal sticking point in negotiations about the legislation, according to state officials who aren’t authorized to publicly discuss private talks. Lawmakers are looking at sanctuary laws currently in effect in places like New York City as models, the officials said.
But striking the correct balance between public safety and immigrants’ rights is proving difficult. Advocates want a near total ban on collaboration, the officials said. Gov. Kathy Hochul and other moderate lawmakers don’t want to back a law that is seen as shielding serious criminals.
As a result, new immigration enforcement restrictions may be rolled into legislation comprising the $263 billion state budget, which is due by March 31. The simmering talks have dashed hopes that a new law would be quickly signed in response to the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis.
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Top legislators said last week that talks continue on a parallel track with major issues in the state budget. In addition to questions of taxing and spending, Hochul and legislators are considering changes to the payout standards for auto insurance, reducing environmental reviews for some housing projects, scaling back the state’s climate mandates and changing pension benefits for public workers.
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