Keep an eye on New York.
Not long after President Donald Trump was acquitted by a Republican-led Senate on charges he obstructed Congress and abused his power as chief executive, his administration’s Department of Homeland Security announced New Yorkers would be banned from renewing or enrolling in a federal program that expedites border crossing between the United States and foreign countries — in New York’s case, Canada.
Residents of New York are banned from new access to NEXUS, Global Entry, SENTRI and FAST — all programs that allow travellers — for a fee — to bypass inconvenient, time-consuming and economically costly lines.
Late last year New York state passed a law limiting DHS’s access to DMV records. Agents from the federal law enforcement agency had been accessing state records to learn immigration status of residents. DHS officials would then use that information to hunt people they believed were in the country and arrest then deport them.
Opponents of the state law see the move as the establishment of a quasi-sanctuary law, providing refuge to people who are in this country beyond their allotted time. Supporters could view New York’s law as a measure of privacy protection from a federal agency.
Similarly in California a state law effective this year has made it more difficult for federal officials to access California DMV records. And in cities throughout this state, including Chula Vista, officials have taken measures to keep their own police agencies from aiding DHS agents deport people. California Governor Gavin Newsom has consistently criticized this administration’s immigration policy and has contradicted Trump’s claims that a new border wall is needed.
New York, like California, is led by a Democratic governor who has been an outspoken critic of this administration’s approach to immigration policy. And New York’s international travellers were just inconvenienced by the administration’s decision to stand up to its policies.
Will Californians be next? Will the families, students, shoppers and business people who cross the San Ysidro border daily by the thousands be targeted as the Trump administration clamps down on the states he views as unfriendly?
Will he jeopardize millions in lost revenue to make a political point at the expense of people trying to lead quiet lives? Judging by New York, the answer is yes.
