Christine Sculti, Republican candidate for Westchester County Executive in the
Tuesday, February 11 special election, today released the Executive Order she will issue
on being sworn in to fulfill her pledge to end Westchester County’s “sanctuary county”
law to protect Westchester residents and taxpayers.
In March 2018, with then Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins’ support, Westchester
Democrats passed the so-called “Immigrant Protection Act” that prevents county law
enforcement personnel from engaging in activities that help enforce federal immigration
laws.
Christine Sculti points out that not only does the law protect illegal aliens wanted for
committing violent crimes, but how it has been flawed since it was signed.
“First, this act is unlawful because any attempt to curtail the authority of the County
Executive to run County government requires a Local Law be submitted, after a public
hearing, in order that the voters of Westchester could approve or disapprove.” Sculti
said. “Knowingly misrepresenting the reach of this legislation and denying the people of
Westchester their right to express their views on the topic of Sanctuary County at the
polls should disqualify Ken Jenkins from public office.”
“Second, and most important, instead of making Westchester a safe haven for
immigrants, this improper act has placed Westchester residents and taxpayers in peril,”
Sculti said. “President Trump intends to withhold federal funds from sanctuary
jurisdictions like Westchester which means a hit of more than $251 million in 2025 to
Westchester taxpayers,” Sculti said. “And what is Jenkins’ plan: raise taxes $251 million
or gut services? Or both? Westchester has already endured the influx of thousands of
illegal immigrants here with violent criminals among them. That is simply
unacceptable.”
“I have promised to issue an Executive Order reversing the Jenkins’ administration’s
sanctuary county law on Day One of my administration,” Sculti continued. “It requires
that all Westchester County departments and offices of the executive branch, and in
particular the Departments of Correction, Probation and Public Safety, provide full
lawful cooperation with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service and
any federal law enforcement or administrative agency working to enforce United States
Immigration Laws.”
“And here it is,” Sculti concluded, referring to a copy of the Executive Order appended to
this press release. “As County Executive, I will protect Westchester residents from
criminals and taxpayers from wrong-headed policymaking.”