U.S. Reps. Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen, both representing parts of Long Island, ended last week by backing more funding for the Department of Homeland Security. They started this week with strong rebukes against the arm of the Trump Administration.
Their changing stance is one clear sign of how the politics of immigration enforcement changed after federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti as he filmed a protest in Minneapolis.
And it speaks to the angst New Yorkers have about what could happen if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency of DHS, brought a large-scale operation to the Empire State.
“I failed to view the DHS funding vote as a referendum on the illegal and immoral conduct of ICE in Minneapolis,” said Suozzi. He and Gillen were two of just seven House Democrats to vote for more DHS funding. “I hear the anger from my constituents, and I take responsibility for that.”
Gillen, who said she supported the bill because it also contained FEMA funding, this week signed onto a resolution to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The secretary has defended the actions of the agents who shot Pretti.
Senate Democrats are now refusing to back the same funding bill, teeing up a possible government shutdown. And in Albany, the shooting has energized a push to let people sue federal agents and to forbid them from wearing masks while on duty.
“There'll be things that we as New Yorkers can do, we as New York can do, and we'll be trying to fast-track that in the wake of what's happening around the nation,” state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said Tuesday.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, included language in her proposed budget that would prevent civil immigration enforcement in schools, hospitals and houses of worship. She also wants to let people sue federal agents if they injure them or damage their property.
Republicans denounced Hochul’s proposals when they were announced. But even GOP support for President Donald Trump’s ongoing crackdown is wavering. U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican from Rockland County, wrote in an op-ed essay this week that Pretti’s death was “preventable” and asked ICE to “reassess” its tactics.
Immigrant advocacy groups are calling for Hochul to back the New York for All Act, which would mostly prohibit state and local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. Hochul hasn’t taken a position on the bill. Christina Greer, a professor of political science at Fordham University, says the situation in Minnesota is putting Hochul under more pressure.
“I am curious as to how Hochul in a re-election year in a very purple state will deal with some of these hard conversations,” Greer said. “Hochul has to tread a very fine line.”
Ballot Box
This week we're wondering.. Should Democrats push for a government shutdown over ICE funding?
Last week we asked: Last week, we asked: Mayor Mamdani has received criticism for not appointing a Black deputy mayor. Are you concerned about the diversity of his administration?
“It seems quite diverse to me — and there are many important roles in NYC government, not just deputy mayors. I am glad to see him focus on appointing active leaders/experts in their areas of interest, not just ‘politically connected’ people and/or cronies as former Mayor Adams did.”
- Caitlin, Manhattan
“Mamdani needs to have all racial groups represented in his top deputies to ensure he is addressing the priorities of the entire city.”
- Gail, Queens
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(2) Mayor Mamdani is clashing with city councilmembers over a housing bill whose supporters contend it will help keep more apartments affordable and out of the grip of speculators. Here’s why.
(3) Several members of school districts on Long Island and in Schenectady are suing New York Attorney General Letitia James and other state officials. Here’s why.
(4) New York lawmakers introduced a bill that would bar U.S. Department of Homeland Security officers without judicial warrants from arresting migrants attending federal immigration court proceedings. Here are the details.
(5) Construction on the first new set of Hudson River train tunnels in more than a century will halt next week if the Trump administration doesn’t resume funding mandated by Congress. Here’s more on the situation.
(6) Rikers Island has a new remediation manager who will have authority even beyond that of the city’s correction commissioner to push forward reforms. Here’s who was named for the role.
(7) New York is coming closer to joining the great redistricting wars of 2026 – but the blue state’s foray is still a long shot. Here’s why.
