In response to President-elect Trump's immigration plans, some New York Democratic legislators are considering secession from the United States. State Senator Liz Krueger has proposed the idea of New York becoming a new province of Canada, arguing that this move could alleviate Canada's burden of enforcing illegal border crossings. "It's not unreasonable to think outside of the box," said Krueger.
The senator also suggested that New York could withhold federal taxes as a countermeasure to Trump's threat of cutting federal funding to the state if it opposes his deportation plans for illegal immigrants. This radical proposal reflects the escalating tension between the incoming administration and local governments over immigration policy.
While the idea of secession is a drastic measure, it underscores the depth of disagreement between the state and federal government on this contentious issue. It remains to be seen how this proposal will be received by the public and other lawmakers, and whether it will gain any traction in the legislative process.
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Krueger had proposed that New York should join Canada back in September, before Trump claimed the White House. More specifically, she proposed leaving with Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
"But that’s why I thought, 'Oh, why do I have to leave this country? I love this country, and if Trump wins a second term, it’s not actually my fault or people in New York.' So I thought I would suggest to Canada that instead of us all trying to illegally cross the border at night without them noticing ... that they should instead agree to let us be the southeast province, a new province of Canada."
She justified the idea, saying, "Basically everybody in these states are progressive Democrats," and that they "would fit in pretty well with the political philosophy of at least most of the Canadian elected officials."
Forty-three percent of voters in New York voted for Trump in the 2024 election, while the other three states all garnered at least 30% of the vote for the president-elect.
Krueger said she "got back some unofficial responses" and that the idea is "probably sellable" in the Canadian capital of Ottawa.
The senator also suggested that New York could withhold federal taxes as a countermeasure to Trump's threat of cutting federal funding to the state if it opposes his deportation plans for illegal immigrants. This radical proposal reflects the escalating tension between the incoming administration and local governments over immigration policy.
While the idea of secession is a drastic measure, it underscores the depth of disagreement between the state and federal government on this contentious issue. It remains to be seen how this proposal will be received by the public and other lawmakers, and whether it will gain any traction in the legislative process.
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Krueger had proposed that New York should join Canada back in September, before Trump claimed the White House. More specifically, she proposed leaving with Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
"But that’s why I thought, 'Oh, why do I have to leave this country? I love this country, and if Trump wins a second term, it’s not actually my fault or people in New York.' So I thought I would suggest to Canada that instead of us all trying to illegally cross the border at night without them noticing ... that they should instead agree to let us be the southeast province, a new province of Canada."
She justified the idea, saying, "Basically everybody in these states are progressive Democrats," and that they "would fit in pretty well with the political philosophy of at least most of the Canadian elected officials."
Forty-three percent of voters in New York voted for Trump in the 2024 election, while the other three states all garnered at least 30% of the vote for the president-elect.
Krueger said she "got back some unofficial responses" and that the idea is "probably sellable" in the Canadian capital of Ottawa.
