In the upcoming special congressional election in New York, Republicans are strategically focusing on the issue of illegal immigration. While Democrats have a significant advertising advantage, the GOP sees immigration and border security as potential weak spots for Democratic nominee Tom Suozzi.
According to GOP ads, Suozzi is accused of rolling out the red carpet for illegal immigrants. One ad’s narrator claims, “Another murder committed. Another illegal immigrant arrested. Because of open border radicals like [Gov. Kathy] Hochul’s hand-picked candidate, Tom Suozzi.” Suozzi, a former House member, is facing off against Republican Mazi Melesa Pilip in the February 13 election. Despite the district voting for President Joe Biden by 8 points in 2020, Republicans have been steadily gaining ground in recent years.
The GOP’s argument against Suozzi centers around his votes against the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act during his time in Congress. This act aimed to expand law enforcement activities related to immigration and defund sanctuary cities. Republicans also point to Suozzi’s public rhetoric, such as when he claimed to have “kicked ICE out of Nassau County” during a Democratic gubernatorial primary debate in 2022. Suozzi, however, argues that his remark was taken out of context.
The GOP’s focus on illegal immigration in this special election is indicative of their strategy for the 2024 general election. Former President Donald Trump and other Republican presidential candidates have long spoken out against Biden’s handling of immigration and the influx of migrants at the border. These concerns resonate with voters across the state, with more than 80% of registered voters in New York considering the recent influx of migrants a serious problem, according to a Siena College poll.
David Laska, the communications director for the New York state Republican Party, emphasized the strain that the immigration issue has placed on resources in the state. The same poll also revealed that 59% of registered voters disapprove of Democratic Governor Hochul’s efforts to address the recent influx of migrants.
Pilip’s allies, including the National Republican Congressional Committee, have capitalized on this sentiment by tying Suozzi to Hochul’s handling of the immigration crisis. Another vulnerability for Suozzi is a letter he signed alongside Rep. Cori Bush and others in 2022, calling on the Biden administration to reverse Title 42, which allowed border patrol agents to send migrants seeking asylum back to their home countries or to Mexico.
The GOP’s messaging strategy has been dominant in advertising, particularly in Nassau County, until Suozzi recently fought back. His campaign launched an ad featuring Suozzi defending the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency on Fox News in 2018, followed by a promise to work with both parties to close illegal immigration routes while opening paths to citizenship for those who follow the rules. Another ad features Suozzi addressing the crisis directly and pledging to work across the aisle to find solutions.
Despite the GOP’s emphasis on the migrant crisis, some Democrats argue that this issue may not significantly impact voters in Nassau County, as no migrants have been sent there. However, local news coverage of New York City, where the migrant crisis is prevalent, is widely consumed on Long Island. Republicans are reminding voters that areas without a migrant crisis are often due to the actions of Republican elected officials who reject the busing of illegal migrants from the city to other parts of the state.
As the special election approaches, the GOP’s focus on illegal immigration may resonate with voters who are concerned about the impact of immigration policies on their communities. Suozzi’s opponents argue that he has not offered concrete solutions to address this issue, while Suozzi maintains that he has proposed ideas to tackle the problems his district faces. Ultimately, voters will have the final say, and their stance on illegal immigration will play a significant role in shaping the outcome of this election.
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