Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R,C-Norwich) joined Minority colleague Brandon Williams (NY-22), Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski), Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) and Assemblyman John Lemondes (R,C-LaFayette) for a press conference regarding the ongoing migrant crisis. Angelino expressed that many rural communities in New York simply do not have the capacity to take in massive amounts of migrants.

“Small rural communities like the ones I represent do not have the infrastructure to house these migrants. Many towns might only have one hotel, or none at all. It is unfair to upstate communities to force them to take in migrants they cannot handle just because New York City is regretting making itself a sanctuary city,” said Angelino.

Angelino also mentioned local law enforcement is overwhelmed and unable to efficiently do their jobs due to legislation put forward by downstate progressives. This has resulted in serious crimes being committed by migrants resulting in communities being less safe.

“Just in the past couple of months, we have seen the migrants involved in several high-profile crimes occur across the state. In Buffalo, they have had two separate sexual assaults take place. This is unacceptable. Local law enforcement must be able to communicate and coordinate with their federal counterparts in order to properly enforce federal immigration law. Anything less is a slap in the face to both law enforcement and our communities,” concluded Angelino.