Trump’s deportation push is scrambling New York’s suburban politics

Politico.com ^ | 02/05/2026 05:55 AM EST | Nick Reisman

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Fury over immigration enforcement is dividing swing districts and putting pressure on moderate Democrats and pro-Trump Republicans.

ALBANY, New York — Simmering anger over President Donald Trump’s expansive deportation strategy has roiled the Empire State’s bellwether suburbs, upending crucial House races and complicating Republicans’ uphill bid to retake the governor’s office.

On Long Island, Democratic Reps. Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen are contending with protesters’ fury over their support for a Homeland Security funding bill. In the Hudson Valley, Republican Rep. Mike Lawler wrote in a New York Times op-ed that the nation’s immigration policy is a failure.

And in the race for governor, incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul is pursuing measures meant to rein in federal immigration enforcement officers, while her likely Republican foe, Bruce Blakeman, has remained a stalwart Trump defender.

The divergent problems facing suburban Republicans and Democrats over Trump’s deportation agenda points to a broader shift: Voters are souring on the president’s sweeping immigration push, and the political costs are rising on both sides. The communities clustered around New York City — where immigration has increasingly influenced campaigns this decade — are becoming a bellwether for the rest of the country.

Grassroots suburban activists have seen a clear change over the last year as more people appear at rallies and sign up to act as ICE observers.

“I don’t think people really understood, because it wasn’t directly affecting them,” said Rachel Klein, the founder of Engage Long Island, a left-leaning activist group. “Now you’re seeing more of this happening in local communities. You’re seeing the manager of the bagel shop in Port Washington get arrested and detained. People are showing up.”

Taken together, the communities adjacent to the nation’s most iconic entry point for immigrants have become a battleground over Trump’s deportation campaign. They are home to a trio of swing...

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TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS:

[No name given]

I’ll bet if illegal aliens started voting for Republicans, the rats would be begging to have them deported.

[ActresponsiblyinVA]

Will the Democrats be responsible for all of the damage to US citizens by illegal immigrants during the shutdown?

[FlipWilson]

Quote: “Simmering anger over President Donald Trump’s expansive deportation strategy has roiled the Empire State’s bellwether suburbs, upending crucial House races and complicating Republicans’ uphill bid to retake the governor’s office.”

Like it would matter in NY? That state is lost and not coming back. This article by Politico is no more than the usual aimed at scaring the RINO’s in the Blue States. Can’t say I blame Politico, it usually works like a charm. Nobody knew that Trump was going to do what he actually said!!! This is a shock to the voters.

Really though, we live in a country where when the dems win, they should get whatever they want because they won and that’s “democracy.” But when the GOP wins, nobody really wants what the GOP promised, so you should just give the dems what they want. And if you don’t, a mob can be summoned to burn, loot, riot and do whatever it takes. All of course is Trump’s fault for causing chaos.

Heads they win, tails they win. That is called “our democracy” = they are in charge, you shut the ef up and obey or ELSE.” Or else what? Just ask Charlie Kirk.

[FlipWilson]

Quote: ‘On Long Island, Democratic Reps. Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen are contending with protesters’ fury over their support for a Homeland Security funding bill.’

So the “voters” are now the mob. The GOP reps should respond to mob pressure according to Politico.

Meanwhile, Mike Lawler is trying to figure out whether his balls were deported.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Really though, we live in a country where when the dems win, they should get whatever they want because they won and that’s “democracy.” But when the GOP wins, nobody really wants what the GOP promised, so you should just give the dems what they want. And if you don’t, a mob can be summoned to burn, loot, riot and do whatever it takes. All of course is Trump’s fault for causing chaos.

That is an excellent synopsis.

[FlipWilson]

My plan. Every time a Federal Judge orders an illegal released, release them into Mike Lawler’s district.

[SuperLuminal]

"... scrambling New York’s suburban politics..."

Cannot have scrambled eggs unless you break the eggs...

This is excellent news... The communists are being forced out of the closet...

[central_va]

Malarkey.

[central_va]

Or its like bumper cars, turn the wheel right and the car turns left.

[spintreebob]

“Voters are souring on the president’s sweeping immigration push”

Think of this like a game of strategy and tactics, like war, or football....and not like good or evil.

Trained protestor Renee Good knew what she was trained to do: Change the narrative, change the headline from
DEPORT MURDERERS, RAPISTS, DUI DRIVERS, DRUNK N DISORDERLY
WELFARE FRAUD, POLITICAL CORRUPTION
to
MOM OF 3 SHOT BY ICE.

It’s like a turnover in football. The safety says boo and our side fumbles the ball.

There was no need to shoot Renee Good. Shooting her was like throwing Brer Rabbit in the Briar Patch. It was like kicking Tar Baby. Whether the kick was justified or not is irrelevant...it was tar baby.

We need to get the Protestors off the front page, off the social media topic. We need to get DOGE and FRAUD and Political CORRUPTION and Murderers, rapists, DUI Drivers back in the headlines and narrative.

Note that the above is “domestic” policy.

The swing voters are split on foreign intervention. For everyone we win, we lose one with a foreign intervention headline. Trump can win the NOBEL PRIZE and it won’t swing votes like FRAUD, Murder, rape.

The economic vote is all pocket book in Oct-Nov first week.
Voters don’t swing on tariff numbers. They swing on prices they see on gas and groceries....and on immediate fiends and family out of a job.

[CFW]

I’ve recently read several articles with the same narrative. It’s all “Trump is losing support because of deportations”.

Don’t believe it. It’s not true.

Trump’s number one campaign issue was the border and deportations. Many people who considered themselves “moderate” voted for him due to the negative effect of illegal aliens in their own community.

That hasn’t changed.

[Revel]

From NY where they now put points on your license one second after a bulb burns out on your car.

[cowboyusa]

Nassau County flipped red in reaction to Mamdani.

[cowboyusa]

Just give the Socialist Blue Syates there own Character ogress at this point and let the Magenta States have theirs.

[montag813]

Really though, we live in a country where when the dems win, they should get whatever they want because they won and that’s “democracy.” But when the GOP wins, nobody really wants what the GOP promised, so you should just give the dems what they want. And if you don’t, a mob can be summoned to burn, loot, riot and do whatever it takes. All of course is Trump’s fault for causing chaos.

One of the best comments I've seen in my long history on FR. Bravo, sir. I only regret we have no "Like" button.

[Vesuvian]

That’s why we’re saddled with Gillen and Suozzi….

[ohioman]

Senator Lawyer of NY is just another GOP traitor who needs his ass kicked out of congress.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

He is taking away their Slaves!