NY gov orders agencies to stop questioning immigration status

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed an executive order on Friday prohibiting state agencies from asking individuals about their immigration status.

The order, which prevents authorities from asking about immigration in situations where the person is seeking help, also bars state employees from disclosing the data unless they are required to by law and investigating illegal activity. 

The order does not apply when officials need to determine if an individual is eligible for a benefit or service. 

{mosads}This would be the first order affecting all of New York’s agencies, according to a Cuomo spokesperson.

“As Washington squabbles over rolling back sensible immigration policy, we are taking action to help protect all New Yorkers from unwarranted targeting by government,” the governor said in a statement, adding, “New York became the Empire State due to the contributions of immigrants from every corner of the globe and we will not let the politics of fear and intimidation divide us.”

The move comes after various New York officials clashed with the Trump administration over its decision to halt the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. 

Cuomo and New York Attorney General Eric Scneiderman (D) have threatened to sue the administration over that decision.