Shifts in Long Island Politics After Fatal Shooting of Protester
In the wake of federal agents fatally shooting Alex Pretti, a 34-year-old filmmaker who was documenting a protest in Minneapolis, several moderate Long Island Democrats have reversed their stance on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Just last week, they backed increased funding for the Department of Homeland Security, but this week, they've taken a strong rebuke against the agency.
Representatives Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen, who represent parts of Long Island, were among just seven House Democrats to vote in favor of more DHS funding. However, Suozzi admitted that his initial support was not a vote on the morality of ICE's actions but rather due to the presence of FEMA funding in the bill. In a sign of growing discomfort with the agency, Gillen recently signed onto a resolution to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who has defended the agents involved in Pretti's death.
This shift reflects the anxiety among New Yorkers about the potential consequences of large-scale ICE operations within their state. The killing has sparked calls for action, including the push to let people sue federal agents and prevent them from wearing masks while on duty. As Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed in her budget, this would aim to restrict civil immigration enforcement in sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, and houses of worship.
While Republicans have been critical of these proposals, even some members of President Donald Trump's party are starting to question their tactics. U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler recently wrote an op-ed essay stating that Pretti's death was "preventable" and calling for ICE to reassess its methods.
The situation is putting Hochul under pressure, particularly with the recent developments in Minnesota. With a re-election year looming in a purple state, she must navigate these conversations carefully without alienating her base or antagonizing potential voters. As Professor Christina Greer notes, Hochul will have to tread a fine line between addressing the concerns of immigrant advocacy groups and maintaining support among her own party.
The debate over government shutdowns over ICE funding is also intensifying. Senate Democrats are refusing to back the same bill that passed in the House, leaving the possibility open for a government shutdown. As tensions escalate, one thing is clear: the killing of Alex Pretti has become a catalyst for change in Long Island politics, with far-reaching implications for how the state approaches immigration enforcement and its relationship with federal agencies.
In the wake of federal agents fatally shooting Alex Pretti, a 34-year-old filmmaker who was documenting a protest in Minneapolis, several moderate Long Island Democrats have reversed their stance on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Just last week, they backed increased funding for the Department of Homeland Security, but this week, they've taken a strong rebuke against the agency.
Representatives Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen, who represent parts of Long Island, were among just seven House Democrats to vote in favor of more DHS funding. However, Suozzi admitted that his initial support was not a vote on the morality of ICE's actions but rather due to the presence of FEMA funding in the bill. In a sign of growing discomfort with the agency, Gillen recently signed onto a resolution to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who has defended the agents involved in Pretti's death.
This shift reflects the anxiety among New Yorkers about the potential consequences of large-scale ICE operations within their state. The killing has sparked calls for action, including the push to let people sue federal agents and prevent them from wearing masks while on duty. As Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed in her budget, this would aim to restrict civil immigration enforcement in sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, and houses of worship.
While Republicans have been critical of these proposals, even some members of President Donald Trump's party are starting to question their tactics. U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler recently wrote an op-ed essay stating that Pretti's death was "preventable" and calling for ICE to reassess its methods.
The situation is putting Hochul under pressure, particularly with the recent developments in Minnesota. With a re-election year looming in a purple state, she must navigate these conversations carefully without alienating her base or antagonizing potential voters. As Professor Christina Greer notes, Hochul will have to tread a fine line between addressing the concerns of immigrant advocacy groups and maintaining support among her own party.
The debate over government shutdowns over ICE funding is also intensifying. Senate Democrats are refusing to back the same bill that passed in the House, leaving the possibility open for a government shutdown. As tensions escalate, one thing is clear: the killing of Alex Pretti has become a catalyst for change in Long Island politics, with far-reaching implications for how the state approaches immigration enforcement and its relationship with federal agencies.
. It's like politicians are trying to flip on a dime just because one guy got killed. Tom Suozzi was all about that DHS funding last week, but now he's suddenly a anti-ICE warrior? Meanwhile, Laura Gillen is impeaching Kristi Noem and calling for maskless federal agents? Come on! 
That's some serious internal conflict.
! i'm all about seeing the good in everything, so let's focus on the positives here 
. first off, it's amazing to see politicians like Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen changing their stance after such a tragic event. it shows that they're willing to listen and adapt to the concerns of their constituents 
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. and hey, even if there is a government shutdown, it's not all bad news - maybe we can use this time to have some real conversations about our values and priorities 
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Alex was just trying to document what was going on at the protest and now he's dead. That's like, so unfair. It's not like he was even a threat or anything. 
It's about time someone took responsibility for those guys' actions.
IT'S LIKE, WE NEED TO STOP BEING SO AFRAID OF PEOPLE COMING INTO OUR COUNTRY AND START TREATING THEM WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY! 
I MEAN, WHAT EVEN IS THE POINT OF HAVING AN ICE AGENTY THAT'S JUST GOING TO KILL SOMEONE OVER A PROTEST?! 
IT'S LIKE WE'RE JUST WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET KILLED BEFORE WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
THEY'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO SAVVY PEOPLE WITH THEIR POLITICAL SPEECHES, BUT WE KNOW WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON HERE. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE U.S. REP. MIKE LAWLER WHO ARE WILLING TO CALL OUT THE PROBLEMS AND DEMAND CHANGE! 
i'm all for restrictin civil immigration enforcement in sensitive areas schools hospitals houses of worship etc 
u think lawler's op-ed is a start but we need more 
. On one hand, it's great to see some Democrats speaking out against ICE and pushing for reforms. But on the other hand, I think they're being a bit too hasty to turn their backs on increased DHS funding. That FEMA cash isn't going to line anyone's pockets 
. Can we please focus on finding real solutions instead of using impeachment as a band-aid? It's like we're throwing more problems at the table instead of solving them 
. This is a delicate dance, folks!
, no one deserves to lose their life like that. And now Reps on Long Island are freaking out and reversing their stance on ICE 
, she's got to balance her party's needs with doing what's right.
. This is all so unnecessary and it's bringing up a lot of anxiety among New Yorkers 
, can't we just focus on being kind and compassionate instead? 
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The police shooting of that protestor was totally senseless 
! It's wild how some politicians are all about party loyalty 
but then flip on ICE 
. If they really cared, they'd be taking real action instead of just signing onto resolutions 
. Meanwhile, the Governor is walking a tightrope 
trying not to lose her base or alienate voters with a bunch of feel-good policies 
like they're trying to distance themselves from the party that's been super critical of Trump's immigration policies