A New York City Democrat has issued a plea to other members of his own party over concerns that allowing millions of unvetted illegal aliens to roam freely across the country could lead to another major terror attack like 9/11.
NYC Council Member Robert Holden is urging his party to end so-called “sanctuary” policies, describing them as “dangerous.”
Holden said he believes that “sanctuary” policies violate federal law and put citizens in harm’s way.
The Democrat councilor raised concerns about the illegal alien crisis during a Monday appearance on “Fox & Freinds.”
Holden told co-host Brian Kilmeade that city and state officials across the country are breaking the law by protecting illegal aliens who may be engaged in criminal activity.
“We’re like shielding [illegal aliens],” Holden said.
“The governors, the Democratic governors, and the mayors of these sanctuary cities are shielding criminals and terrorists.”
Holden insisted that federal and state governments must cooperate to crack down on illegal immigration and prevent future terror plots.
He continued by referencing a breakdown in communication in the early 2000s that he believes facilitated the 9/11 attacks.
“We have terrorists that have gotten across the borders,” Holden said.
“We know it, and we don’t know where they are, and of course, some of them are in New York City, and that’s very, very dangerous.”
Holden noted that NYC Mayor Eric Adams can petition New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and call on the city council to amend “sanctuary” laws.
Adams has expressed frustrations about the migrant crisis and the city’s “sanctuary” status.
He also called on President Donald Trump to get involved and threaten Democrats with possible jail time if they violate statutes against harboring criminal non-citizens.
“[President Trump] actually could say to the governor and to the mayor, cooperate with us, or we’re going to charge you with felonies,” Holden said.
WATCH:
The New York Times reported that New York’s commissioner of migrant affairs, Manuel Castro, has vowed not to follow “the instructions of the federal government in cases of mass deportations.”
Castro’s statement reflects a trend of state and local officials saying they would reject Trump’s immigration policies.
Trump campaigned, in part, on enforcing stringent immigration laws.
He has vowed to deport illegal aliens.
Trump’s commitment to closing the border was cemented by his pick for “border czar,” Tom Homan.
Homan served as the acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the first Trump administration.
“If you don’t want to work with us, then get the hell out all the way,” Homan warned recently.
“We’re going to do it.”
As a sanctuary city, New York spent $3.7 billion in taxpayer money on housing, food, and other costs for illegal aliens in the 2024 fiscal year alone.
READ MORE – Biden Lifts Restrictions for Illegal Migrants Before Trump Transition
