Albany Democrats recently rejected “Laken’s Law,” a proposed bill that would have mandated New York authorities to notify federal immigration officials when arresting migrants. The legislation was named after a University of Georgia student who was allegedly killed by a migrant earlier in the year. Despite being introduced by Assemblyman Jarrett Gandolfo, a Republican, the bill faced little support in the left-leaning state assembly and was quickly tabled without much hope of resurfacing before lawmakers adjourn for the year.
If passed, the bill would have required local law enforcement to share arrest records and fingerprints with Immigration and Customs Enforcement whenever a non-citizen is arrested in New York. The motivation behind this legislation stemmed from the case of Riley, a nursing student allegedly killed by a migrant who had entered the country illegally, sought asylum, and evaded appearing in court for a shoplifting charge. The perpetrator was arrested in New York City for endangering his stepson but was released before ICE could intervene, leading to the fatal incident.
Assemblyman Jarrett Gandolfo, the bill’s sponsor, argued that “Laken’s Law” was a necessary measure to ensure that criminal migrants are held accountable and to protect New Yorkers. He criticized New York’s perceived reputation as a preferred destination for people crossing the southern border illegally, especially those with criminal intentions. Republicans hoped that the legislation would counteract the Sanctuary City policies adopted by some Democrat-led municipalities, which limit cooperation between local and federal authorities on immigration matters.
During the legislative process, Codes Committee Chairman Jeffrey Dinowitz defended the decision to reject the bill, citing New York’s history of protecting immigrants seeking a better life and resisting aggressive immigration enforcement. He expressed concerns about requiring ICE notification for individuals accused of offenses that could lead to deportation, suggesting that not everyone supported such measures. Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay, a Republican, pushed back against this narrative, accusing New York Democrats of prioritizing sanctuary policies over the safety and interests of the general population.
The rejection of “Laken’s Law” by Albany Democrats was met with criticism from Republicans, who argued that the state’s sanctuary policies put residents at risk by shielding criminal migrants from federal immigration enforcement. The bill’s proponents contended that mandatory notification to ICE after the arrest of non-citizens accused of deportable offenses was a necessary safeguard for public safety. Despite the political divide on immigration policies, the failure of this legislation highlighted the ongoing tensions between protecting migrants’ rights and enforcing immigration laws in New York.
