Democratic contender Tom Suozzi, in the race for the vacated seat formerly held by Rep. George Santos in the forthcoming special election, faces scrutiny over a 2019 social media post offering guidance to migrants on interactions with ICE agents during potential raids.
The post, shared ahead of a visit to Texas to shed light on conditions at detention centers, advised against opening doors without a warrant and suggested seeking an interpreter if necessary.
“While the President is threatening large-scale raids targeting thousands of immigrants, this is fundamentally unjust! People should not be subjected to constant fear, nor should they be manipulated,” Suozzi remarked, referencing Trump.
“Our country is built on the fundamental principle that EVERY individual possesses rights. Be aware of yours.”
Suozzi’s opponent, Republican Mazi Pilips, a former Israeli military veteran and political newcomer, criticized the post, tying it to what she perceives as Suozzi’s advocacy for open borders and sanctuary cities.
In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, Pilips reiterated her commitment to border security, the deportation of lawbreaking migrants, and addressing what she views as a sanctuary city issue fostered by Suozzi and President Biden.
“If they forcibly enter, do not resist. Advise all occupants to remain silent,” the statement reads. “If arrested, maintain silence and refrain from signing anything until consulting with an attorney.”
Responding to the criticism, Suozzi’s campaign has yet to issue a comment, as reported by Fox News Digital on Tuesday. The controversy adds intricacy to the already competitive race for the 3rd Congressional District seat, scheduled for a special election on Feb. 13.
The topic of immigration has garnered bipartisan attention in New York, with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis holding a press conference in Times Square alongside U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
Malliotakis highlighted over 1,000 arrests of migrants linked to various crimes, including assaults, grand larceny, stabbings, and even a murder at the Roosevelt shelter.
Expressing concern over limited cooperation between the NYPD and ICE due to city laws, Malliotakis emphasized the necessity of revisiting policies impeding law enforcement collaboration.
The call for cooperation follows the recent assault of two NYPD officers allegedly by a group of migrants who were subsequently apprehended and released.
“What’s perhaps most troubling is that the NYPD’s hands are tied, and they are prohibited by the City Council’s 2014 laws from collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to have these individuals detained and deported,” she remarked. It’s essential to note that no prediction model is infallible, and numerous variables can influence election outcomes.
