Blakeman: Nassau No Sanctuary For Migrants JOSEPH SCOTCHIE

jscotchie@antonmediagroup.com

For months, busloads of migrants and asylum-seekers have been making their way north, as governors from both Texas and Florida have bused their own migrants to such destinations as New York City, Chicago and even the vice president’s residence in Washington, DC.

The federal government’s “remain in Mexico” Title 42 programs has expired and with facilities in South Texas overcrowded, the government is also now busing migrants to northern destinations. That includes New York City, which is a sanctuary city. This designation prevents law enforcement officials from giving the status of a suspected illegal migrant to federal officials.

Nassau County, however, does not designate itself as a sanctuary county. That was made clear at a May 15 press conference in which County Executive Bruce Blakeman reiterated that position.

“Nassau County is NOT a sanctuary county and will not participate in any sanctuary programs,” Blakeman wrote on his Facebook page. “I continue to urge the President to solve the crisis at the border as it is no longer just Texas, Arizona, and California that are being materially affected by this debacle.”

New York is mired in controversy over where to send the migrant busloads. Nearly all of them are being housed in various facilities in Manhattan and Brooklyn, including the previously vacant Roosevelt Hotel. Attempts to place migrants in both Orange and Rockland counties have been met with strong opposition.

None of this is happening, at least not yet in Nassau County. No vacant units are being used for such housing.