Republican Rep. Mike Lawler questioned the citizenship standing of a Latino lawmaker from Westchester County throughout a public listening to about immigration enforcement.
The rising GOP star from the Hudson Valley clashed with county legislator Jose Alvarado after the trailblazing lawmaker requested him how Latinos ought to reply to intrusive calls for for proof of citizenship by police or immigration brokers.
“I don’t know. I assume you’re a citizen. Maybe you’re not. Maybe you are,” Lawler mentioned throughout the legislature’s weekly assembly, drawing derisive laughs and a few dismissive remarks from different lawmakers.
Lawler defended his comment by suggesting that solely a possible unlawful immigrant would fear about being quizzed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers.
“Well, you’re telling me about ICE approaching you,” Lawler mentioned.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY). (Picture by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photographs)
Alvarado, an immigrant from Honduras who represents a Yonkers district, shot again by questioning why Lawler apparently didn’t know that he must be a citizen to vote, not to mention run for election and serve on the board overseeing the county of practically 1 million folks.
“You didn’t know that in order to be elected, you have to be a citizen?” mentioned Alvarado, the first-ever Hispanic lawmaker to win election to the suburban county board. “In order to vote, you have to be a citizen.”
Lawler sought to backpedal by claiming he was merely suggesting that anybody who’s approached by regulation enforcement ought to cooperate.
“If you are encountered by law enforcement and they ask you for documentation, you provide it. That’s it,” Lawler mentioned.
Democrats lashed out at Lawler, saying the incident confirmed him to be ignorant and insensitive to the considerations of Latino New Yorkers.
“This was the most horrifying moment I have had at the Westchester County Legislature,” added legislator David Imamura.
“[It] is indicative of all of the problems in today’s Republican Party,” Imamura mentioned.
Lawler cruised to reelection final yr in his blue-leaning suburban congressional district and is planning a doable Republican run for governor in 2026.
He portrays himself as a reasonable Republican and has typically criticized President Trump. Democrats accuse him of being little greater than a fig leaf for Trump’s right-wing MAGA agenda.
A spokesman for Lawler defended the remarks and mentioned the controversy was being blown out of proportion by Democrats trying to rating low-cost political factors.
Lawler survived a racially charged scandal over his admission that he wore blackface for a Michael Jackson costume in faculty. He apologized and mentioned he was an enormous fan of the late pop celebrity.
Initially Printed: February 19, 2025 at 1:10 PM EST
