New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced pardons on Monday for 22 immigrants who were at risk of deportation because of criminal records, taking a swipe at President TrumpDonald John TrumpGary Cohn says Trump trade adviser the only economist in world who believes in tariffs House transportation committee chairman threatens to subpoena Boeing, FAA communication Pentagon sets new limits on transgender service members MORE in the process.
“While President Trump shuts down the federal government over his obsession with keeping immigrants out, New York stands strong in our support for immigrant communities,” Cuomo said in a statement.
“These actions will help keep immigrant families together and take a critical step toward a more just, more fair and more compassionate New York,” he added.
Many of the immigrants who received pardons were convicted of drug-related crimes.
In addition to the pardons, Cuomo commuted the sentences of seven people currently serving jail time.
Monday marked the latest instance in which Cuomo pardoned immigrants at risk of deportation. He pardoned eight immigrants over the summer who were convicted of minor crimes, and in December 2017 pardoned 61 people, including 18 immigrants.
In the latter announcement, Cuomo called out Trump for his rhetoric and policies toward immigrants.
Trump has made cracking down on immigration a cornerstone of his administration.
The government is in the midst of a partial shutdown that entered its 11th day Tuesday. The partial shutdown began in December amid a standoff between the White House and Democrats over funding for the president’s proposed wall along the southern border.
Trump has demanded $5 billion for the wall, while Democrats have offered $1.3 billion for border security measures.
Democrats have introduced a measure that would reopen the government when the new Congress convenes on Thursday, but the president indicated on Tuesday he was not satisfied with the proposal’s lack of money for a wall.