New York City Residents Not Allowed To Vote On Sanctuary City Laws 

Janet Julie Vanatko / shutterstock.com
Janet Julie Vanatko / shutterstock.com

This week, New York City’s Charter Revision Commission announced which issues will be on the November ballot. Even though some city council members and Mayor Eric Adams wanted a vote on changing laws that make it hard for federal agents to arrest illegal immigrants who commit crimes, the commission decided not to include the city’s “sanctuary city” status on the ballot. 

The Commission received feedback asking it to suggest changing the “sanctuary city” laws. The Commission doesn’t think it’s the “right time” to put this issue on the ballot for a vote. 

A “sanctuary city” is a term for cities or local governments with rules limiting their cooperation with federal immigration authorities. In these cities, local officials usually don’t help federal agents enforce immigration laws. They won’t report or detain people in the country without proper documents.  

These cities often have policies that stop city workers, including police, from asking about or reporting someone’s immigration status, except in some instances. The idea is to make immigrant communities feel safer using public services like schools and hospitals without worrying about deportation. 

Now, New York City voters won’t get to decide if laws protecting illegal immigrants who commit crimes should stay in place. This means the city’s controversial sanctuary city laws will remain unchanged. 

Some New York City Council members did not receive the commission’s decision well. They had hoped that a public vote would end the city’s laws protecting illegal immigrants who commit crimes. 

GOP Councilwoman Vickie Paladino said it looks like the idea of letting voters decide on the issue is not going to happen. She’s disappointed but not surprised that the commission won’t let people vote on this. 

Paladino is part of the Common Sense Caucus, a group of New York City Council members from both parties who want more moderate policies. 

Last month, the Common Sense Caucus proposed new laws allowing New York City police to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They want to remove laws that stop city officials from working with ICE and use city resources to help with deportations. 

The bill is focused on changing the sanctuary laws that former Mayor Bill de Blasio established. In 2014, he signed a law that made it difficult for the New York Police Department to work with ICE agents. In 2018, he made the rules even stricter. 

When the Common Sense Caucus announced their proposal to end these sanctuary city laws, they argued that illegal immigrants who commit crimes should be deported quickly. 

Earlier this month, Democrat Mayor Eric Adams supported the campaign to change the sanctuary laws. Adams said that the rules set up by former Mayor de Blasio were a “big mistake.” 

Adams seemed interested in reform. An ICE spokesperson confirmed that the mayor’s office and federal immigration officials had been discussing how to work together. 

The Charter Revision Commission considered important issues facing the city, listened to the public, and then decided which issues would be on the November ballot. The Common Sense Caucus had pushed to let New York City voters decide whether to keep the sanctuary laws. 

However, the commission decided not to give voters a voice. 

Since the crisis began, over 208,000 migrants have arrived in New York City. They have caused a massive increase in people needing shelters. The city expects to spend more than $12 billion to handle the situation through 2025. 

The crisis has gained more attention because of some serious crimes by illegal migrants. For example, Bernardo Raul Castro Mata was arrested for shooting at two police officers. Another illegal migrant was accused of attacking a 13-year-old girl with a knife. 

The Democratic Party favors open borders and the problems that come with it. If they thought New York City voters would support the city’s sanctuary city status, they would have put the issue on the ballot. 

Instead, New York City residents should sit down and shut up. New York City’s Charter Revision Commission proved that voter opinions don’t matter in the progressive version of democracy.