New York to DC: We'll Figure Out Immigration On Our Own Since You Can't

Yahoo News ^ | 4 Aug 2014 | Rebecca McCray

[mandaladon]

This week felt like déjà vu all over again for immigration activists who held hunger strikes ahead of Christmas break. The House and Senate, one of the least productive to ever set foot in the nation's Capitol, left Washington this week to go on vacation without bringing forward a vote on reform. Again.

But activists aren't the only ones fed up with Congress’ inaction on immigration reform. The country's largest states—California, New York, and Texas—have been looking for ways to take matters into their own hands when it comes to granting rights to undocumented residents.

In New York, State Senator Gustavo Rivera (D) and Assembly Member Karim Camara, along with a coalition of supporters, introduced the New York is Home Act. If passed in the next legislative session, this unprecedented bill would create a path to state citizenship for tax-paying non-citizen residents of New York who have lived in the state for three years and can provide proof of identity.

“These are individuals who are contributing every single day, yet are not given the opportunity to fully participate in civic, economic, and political life,” said Rivera.

In his bustling office in the 33rd Senate District in the Bronx, I spoke with the Senator about his decision to introduce this unique bill, which capitalizes on the similar but parallel concepts of federal and state citizenship.

“We’re taking the concept of states’ rights and flipping it on its head. We’re saying if there is legislative authority that a state has that sits outside of the powers of the federal government as established by the constitution, we’re going to use it,” Rivera said

.

[mandaladon]

“As opposed to asking what we can get from the government, we’re starting from a place of the power of what the immigrant community is already giving, and making a request from there,” said Daniel Coates, a lead organizer with the advocacy organization Make the Road New York, one of the major supporters and authors of the Act..........................WTF!

[Usagi_yo]

“The House and Senate, one of the least productive .... “

They say it like that’s a bad thing. American’s are safer when there’s a do nothing Congress about.

[Cheerio]

New York to DC: We'll Figure Out Immigration On Our Own Since You Can't

Sorry NY - if AZ could not even enforce "EXISTING FED LAWS" and arrest illegal aliens inside our state, YOU CERTAINLY CANNOT MAKE UP YOUR OWN LAWS.

[mandaladon]

“The goal is not only to get it passed in New York, but to change the conversation at the national level about the responsibility of states to their residents,” said Rivera. ‘This is a way to acknowledge the real contributions of millions of individuals that are living in our state, and a way for real, progressive states to move in a positive direction in acknowledging these contributions and defending the rights of residents, regardless of their immigration status.”.........................Illegal aliens have no rights!

[FlingWingFlyer]

Arizona tried the “states rights” thing on immigration and Barry’s pimp sued the hell out of us. If these Nazi fags in New Yawk get away with this, there will be hell to pay.

[gasport]

Is New York v Miln still standing law?

[MichaelCorleone]

Very good point. AZ and others, including so-called Constitutional scholars, should be watching this closely. And if NY is given a wink and a nod for exerting ‘states rights’, then (as you say) all hell should break loose.

[Mike Darancette]

Well we know where to send them. Yet the white busses roll.

[anoldafvet]

I think the house passed plenty of legislation, it was the senate that did nothing.

[OneWingedShark]

What about AZ’s SB 1070?

[Sicon]

First of all, Congress doing nothing is the best thing that could happen to the good people of this country.

Second of all, there is no need for immigration "reform." There is a need for ENFORCEMENT of existing immigration law, and security on our borders.

[FlyingEagle]

NY does not want impoverished hispanic kids. They want hedge fund hardbellies.

[GeronL]

The same people who said states shouldn't arrest illegals and turn them over to ICE because "it's not a state issue" now think they can defacto legalize illegal aliens.

Leftists are ALWAYS hypocrites.