New York state lawmakers on Monday handed a controversial bill granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants — and Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign it.
Democrats within the state Senate managed to move the bill on a 33-29 vote, regardless of dropping all six of their Long Island members over fears the bill might show politically poisonous of their swing districts.
“We are treating the individuals who have damaged our regulation, who’re criminals [like law-abiding citizens]. This laws will lead to extra illegal immigration,” Sen. Thomas O’Mara (R-Chemung) fumed as he voted towards the measure.
But Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens), a champion of the bill, shot again to naysayers through the debate, “Be cautious, your xenophobia is exhibiting.”
The Assembly OK’d the bill last week, and it now heads to Cuomo’s desk for his signature.
The Senate vote got here after days of intense talks that had been largely wrapped up over the weekend — and regardless of continued opposition from Long Island Democrats representing probably aggressive districts and an MS-13 gang disaster.
A current Siena ballot introduced these fears dwelling when it reported that voters statewide opposed the measure 53 to 41%, with 55% of impartial voters towards it.
The regional breakdowns weren’t significantly better: Only 40% of suburban voters favored it and upstate voters hated it much more with simply 35% help.