The State of Texas has bused 50,000 migrants who have cross the US Border to NYC
By Dan Murphy
On May 8, Westchester County Executive George Latimer gave an impassioned speech, filled with verses from the Bible, as he prepared residents for NYC Mayor Eric Adams to send some of the 50,000 migrants now in New York City to Westchester.
Latimer stated his briefing by explaning that while Rockland and Orange Counties did receive migrants from NYC, Westchester has yet to receive any, or a request to do so. But Latimer also contrasted his views with the views of Rockland County Executive Ed Day, who has declared a state of emergency in response to migrants being sent to an empty hotel in his county, and has refused to accept them.
“The Irish immigrants who came here in the 1940’s were not welcome. We need to know how long they will be here and who will pay for it. We cannot provide federal programs to undocumented residents, and I have a fiduciary responsibility to the people of this county, and to protect their safety.
“I asked our county attorney whether I have the authority under executive order for an emergency declartion (if migrants are sent from NYC). I do not have that power.
“I am influenced by my religion, and I know that some of my fellow catholics are unhappy with some of my positions.
Latimer then read from the Bible, book of Matthew, 25, verses 31-40, where Jesus tells his followers.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, “I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (NIV) End of verse.
This is what I am taught as part of my faith. I would not trade having been born in Mt. Vernon NY, and having a public education, and going to college, find work and have a better life than my parents had.
But I can understand why someone would walk a thousand miles with their children to the border for the opportunity to have a better life. Human compassion has to be met with pragmatism. We do not have the resources to solve the problems of the world, but we cannot turn a blind eye either. It is not acceptable to say you don’t look like me go back to where you came from. That’s not acceptable either. What do we believe in and what are we willing to put behind that belief? ” said Latimer.
Latimer’s comments were more suitable for a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate. But as he pointed out, “Without a national policy we have gridlock.”
Latimer’s comments were in preparation for a likely upcoming request to house some of the NYC migrants here in Westchester, and contrasted with the views of Rockland County Executive Ed Day.
Latimer signed the Immigrant Protection Act, in 2018, which protected undocumented persons in Westchester from ICE or other Federal law enforcement seeking to deport illegals.
The other question if Westchester were asked, and accepted migrants from NYC is where would they be housed?
