Stefanik Confronts Hochul on New York's Sanctuary State Policies and ICE Cooperation

Stefanik's Accusations on Sanctuary State Policies

• 📌 Representative Elise Stefanik questioned Governor Kathy Hochul regarding Executive Order One, which she claims continues New York's sanctuary state policies.
• 💡 Stefanik defined a sanctuary state as one where state employees cannot disclose information to federal immigration authorities for civil immigration enforcement and where law enforcement cannot use resources for detecting undocumented individuals.
• ⚠️ She stated that New York law enforcement has no authority to take policy action solely because a person is an undocumented alien, quoting directly from Hochul's executive orders.

High-Profile Cases of Crimes by Undocumented Immigrants

• 🔪 Stefanik presented several cases of crimes allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants in New York, including Sakir Akan, who is accused of violently raping a 15-year-old girl.
• 🔥 Another case highlighted was Sebastian Zapita Khalil, accused of setting a woman on fire on a New York subway, with Stefanik asserting that ICE detainers were rejected due to sanctuary state laws.
• 💔 A third case involved Raymond Roas Basilio, accused of molesting an 11-year-old, and Wilson Castillo Diaz, accused in the rape of a 5-year-old, both allegedly shielded from federal immigration enforcement.

Hochul's Defense and Counterarguments

• 🤝 Governor Hochul stated that New York cooperates fully with ICE in criminal prosecutions and denied that the executive order prevents cooperation.
• 🗣️ She accused Stefanik of seeking a viral moment rather than engaging with facts and suggested Stefanik was not advocating for victims.
• ⚖️ Hochul indicated that New York's policies are aimed at ensuring cooperation with ICE in criminal matters, not hindering it.

Political Context and Accusations

• 🗳️ Stefanik suggested that Hochul's policies are why she is losing support and that Hochul prioritizes undocumented immigrants over law-abiding New Yorkers.
• 🎤 Stefanik criticized Hochul for prioritizing far-left sanctuary state policies over advocating for victims of crimes allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants.
• 📉 Stefanik claimed that Hochul's failed record and the crimes committed in the sanctuary state she created are leading to a loss of support.