AOC Slams Biden’s Border Record as NYC Borough Threatens to Breakaway – Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or AOC, a prominent member of “The Squad,” delivered a scathing critique of the Biden administration’s immigration policies in a candid interview with The New York Times.
She labeled immigration as the administration’s weakest issue and discussed her views on politics, concerns regarding the migrant crisis in New York City, and the Democratic Party’s condition.
Joe Biden’s Immigration Policy Under Fire by AOC
On Thursday The New York Times probed Ocasio-Cortez on key immigration concerns, highlighting that, “Under Biden, more asylum seekers are being held in private detention centers than under Trump. Families are still being separated, and Trump-era policies that accelerated deportations and hindered legitimate claimants remain intact.”
Regarding the administration’s immigration performance, Ocasio-Cortez didn’t mince words, stating, “Immigration is arguably this administration’s weakest issue, where politics often dictate policy more than anywhere else.” She emphasized the administration’s reluctance to act on progressive policy suggestions, citing fears of political backlash.
“We’ve presented clear recommendations to provide relief on this issue, but I believe some hesitation is rooted in fear of appearing to endorse Republican immigration narratives,” she asserted.
No Southern Border Visit Plans
While Ocasio-Cortez faced criticism for not visiting the southern border, she justified her focus on the New York City migrant crisis.
She explained, “I’ve conducted tours of our New York-area facilities. The crisis is in our backyard, and it’s crucial, especially to my constituents demanding accountability, to inspect the front line here in New York City.”
She challenged the notion that the southern border is the sole center of the immigration issue, emphasizing, “Limiting our perspective to the southern border and not considering places like John F. Kennedy Airport shows a lack of imagination regarding immigration.”
AOC Slams Biden’s Response
Ocasio-Cortez criticized the Biden administration’s response to the New York migrant crisis, saying, “We need partnership from the federal government. I’ve been vocal about how the administration has handled this issue. New York City is the epicenter, and we’ve consistently asked for various forms of relief.”
She added, “The Biden administration’s refusal to grant work authorizations or extend temporary protective status impedes our ability to foster an environment where immigrants from around the world can build a livelihood.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams also called on the federal government to allow migrants to work in the city, stating, “The path to achieving the American dream begins with the right to work.”
In response to AOC’s criticism, the White House referred to a statement from a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, who said, “DHS continues to support New York City and State with over $140 million in federal funding this Fiscal Year and urges Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.”
Staaten Island Could Secede
NYC’s recent migrant crisis has prompted calls for Staten Island to secede.
Residents and politicians in the Borough, with a population of around 475,000, are protesting against plans to house migrants in an old Catholic school.
Republican congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, representing Staten Island, has called for the borough to break away from the rest of the city and its “Left-wing” policies, particularly those of Democrat Mayor Eric Adams.
The protests are in response to the influx of migrants passing through New York City intake centers, with around 60,000 people currently in city shelters.
Staten Island’s desire for secession has a history dating back to 1993 when a non-binding secession bill was passed but not acted upon.
Now, some leaders, including Vito Fossella, the Staten Island Borough President, are once again expressing support for secession, stating that they no longer want to be part of New York City if they are subjected to policies they disagree with.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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