ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--AS THE MIGRANT CRISIS CONTINUES ON, SOME LAWMAKERS IN ALBANY RALLY FOR LEGISLATION CALLED THE ACCESS TO REPRESENTATION ACT—INTENDING TO guarantee IMMIGRANTS FACING DEPORTATION THE RIGHT TO LEGAL COUNSEL.  

ASSEMBLY MEMBER CATALINA CRUZ (d-Assembly District 39), A SPONSOR OF THE bill, SAID WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL STEPS INTO CRIMINAL COURT THE CONSTITUTION guarantees THEM A RIGHT TO AN ATTORNEY BUT IMMIGRANTS DON’T HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY.  

“Why is it that when you face very similar circumstances in immigration court you can’t get that. It’s because immigrants are seen as dispensable,” she said. 

ASSEMBLY MEMBER CRUZ SAid THEY ARE ALSO ASKING FOR $150 MILLION IN THE STATE BUDGET FOR IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES—INTENDING TO HELP EASE THE PRESSURE ON THE BACKLOG OF CASES. 

WHILE DEMOCRATS RALLY FOR THIS LEGISLATION, REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS RALLY FOR A bill INTENDING TO ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COORDINATE WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS.  

SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAid DEMOCRATS ARE GOING OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HELP ASYLUM SEEKERS.  

“The vast majority will have their asylum claims denied. So, to now ask for one-hundred and fifty million dollars to go towards the representation for people who are crossing the southern border illegally it just underscores the point we’re making here today the priorities are all mixed up,” said Assembly Member Jarett Gandolfo (R-Assembly District 7).

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS SAid WHILE THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD PARTNER WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON THIS ISSUE, SHE EMPHASIZES MIGRANTS SEEKING ASYLUM IN NEW YORK IS LEGAL ACCORDING TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION.  

ASSEMBLY MEMBER CRUZ RESPONDed SAYING WHILE REPUBLICANS IN ALBANY ARE GOOD AT FACILITATING ANTI-IMMIGRATION rhetoric, HER FOCUS REMAINS ON HELPING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES.  

“The reality is our Republican colleagues are going to stand against an issue like this no matter what we do. I’m much more concerned in ensuring that we are protecting the constitutional rights of people that go into court,” she said.