Immigration enforcement is rising as a burning concern 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 mentioned that underneath 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 Autos is issuing CDLs with out verifying authorized standing or everlasting residence, conflicting with federal security requirements, he mentioned.
“Governor Hochul is knowingly placing New Yorkers in peril. 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,” mentioned Blakeman, presently the Nassau County govt.
In truth, the New York DMV did truly concern 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 mentioned then the driving force’s license was issued in accordance with procedures with the driving force’s identification verified by way of federal paperwork, and that the driving force had “lawful standing” by way of a federal employment authorization program.
Hochul’s workplace repeated that line on Sunday, and famous the foundations governing CDL’s are set by the federal authorities in D.C., not in Albany.
New York has a separate regulation 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 a large 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 huge vehicles by way of our communities. That’s an unacceptable public security failure,” Blakeman mentioned.
“My administration will restore frequent sense and public security,” Blakeman mentioned. “For each CDL handed out to somebody within the nation illegally, we are going to give a CDL to a hard-working New Yorker who performs by the foundations.”
Blakeman’s views on immigration enforcement are consistent with his pal, President Trump.
Hochul’s marketing campaign defended her public security file.
“Whereas Governor Hochul has made file investments in public security and labored with regulation enforcement to convey crime down, Bruce Blakeman truly let violent crime go up in Nassau, hitting ten-year highs, withheld funding for native regulation enforcement, and refused to elevate a finger when Trump tried to defund the NYPD — as a result of he’d slightly defend Donald Trump than his personal constituents,” mentioned 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 handle final week, Hochul mentioned she would push laws to bar ICE raids at delicate areas similar to colleges, homes of worship and hospitals with no 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 taking pictures of Renee Nicole Good, 37, in Minneapolis.
