The Peru Gazette

State Senator Dan Stec at podium

Senator Dan Stec (R, C-Queensbury), Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) and Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R, C-Black River) joined law enforcement officials from St. Lawrence, Clinton, Franklin and Jefferson Counties at a press conference to advocate for their legislation (Senate bill S.2147/A.5145) that would repeal the state’s “Green Light Law” for border counties. Under that law, federal, state and local law enforcement are not allowed to coordinate their efforts in addressing illegal northern border crossings. The lawmakers’ bill would restore cooperation between all law enforcement agencies.

Joining the state legislators to speak on these difficulties and the need for inter-agency cooperation were St. Lawrence County Sheriff Rick Engle, Franklin County Sheriff Jay Cook, Clinton County Sheriff David Favro and Jefferson County Sheriff Pete Barnett. As Stec and his legislative colleagues made clear during the press conference, restoring this cooperation is vital in meeting the public safety challenges created by the migrant crisis and the governor’s migrant policies.

“Because of the ill-conceived policies coming from the governor, there’s an ongoing crisis along our northern border. I’ve heard repeatedly from our law enforcement officials along the border that a major impediment in addressing security and illegal immigration concerns is the Green Light Law,” said Stec. “The legislation I sponsor in the Senate and advocated for today ends the Green Light Law’s restriction on federal and local law enforcement co-operation by allowing local law officers to work with federal immigration officials on finding and removing criminal illegal immigrants in our communities. As lawmakers, we have an obligation to secure our border and protect lawful residents. The legislation my colleagues and I discussed today would go a long way toward accomplishing that goal.”

As we face increasing challenges at our northern border, it is imperative that we enable full cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement,” said Gray. “The current restrictions under the Green Light Law hinder our ability to effectively manage and secure our communities. Our proposed legislation aims to restore this vital collaboration, ensuring the safety and security of our residents. Together with Senator Stec and Assemblyman Blankenbush, I am committed to addressing these pressing issues and safeguarding our border regions.”

“We need to repeal the state’s Green Light Law immediately,” said Blankenbush. “Cooperation between all levels of law enforcement is crucial to deal with the northern border crisis. Once again, Albany and the NYC Democrats show they are incapable of considering the entire state.”