Trump-backed New York gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has pledged that on his first day in office he will sign an executive order declaring the state is no longer a sanctuary jurisdiction. The Nassau County executive has repeatedly highlighted cases of violent crimes committed by illegal migrants, including the rape of a 14-year-old girl and the murders of two women, as evidence that current policies endanger New Yorkers. Blakeman argues that limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities has allowed individuals with serious criminal records to remain free in the community. He points to Department of Homeland Security figures showing thousands of detainees—reported in one data set as 6,947—were released even after ICE issued holds requesting they be detained for potential deportation. The candidate frames the change as basic common sense necessary to restore public safety and reverse what he calls the pillaging of the state by foreign criminals.

Blakeman has made the sanctuary-status repeal a central campaign promise while campaigning against Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, whose administration has restricted formal local-federal immigration enforcement partnerships. He has cited his own record in Nassau County, where prior cooperation with ICE led to the removal of more than 2,000 individuals with criminal histories ranging from rape to drug trafficking and gang activity. Supporters of the pledge say ending sanctuary policies would allow law enforcement to honor detainers and reduce the risk of repeat offenses by removable aliens. Critics contend the focus on immigration oversimplifies crime trends and that state law already permits cooperation in serious cases. With the election approaching, Blakeman’s day-one commitment has become a flashpoint in the race, crystallizing broader debates over federal-state cooperation, public safety, and the consequences of sanctuary approaches.