The border crisis has emerged as a hot issue for the Hudson Valley 17th District House seat, and former Democratic Rep. Mondaire Jones' past far-left positions in the district could come back to bite him. be.
Jones, who supported loose borders and amnesty for criminal immigrants when he was a former congressman, is seeking to unseat first-term Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in the district, which includes parts of Westchester and Rockland counties. While seeking re-election, he is on record as calling for stronger border security. show.
During his tenure, Mr. Jones signed the letter jointly He is promoting the “No Borders, Walls'' coalition, which demands the removal of military personnel from the U.S.-Mexico border area and advocates the removal of barriers such as razor wire.
The letter, sent to President Biden on March 8, 2021 and co-signed by Jones, states: “The continued military presence at our border is a sign of your commitment to restoring America's moral and strategic standing on the international stage. is threatened,” it says.
In a Facebook post just a few weeks ago, Jones criticized the U.S. Supreme Court for allowing former President Trump to “allow” him to ban immigration from Muslim countries and build a wall to secure the border. Ta.
He voted against a Republican-backed amendment that would have prevented gang members and sex offenders from obtaining citizenship, including immigrants from the Torren de Aragua gang, which currently terrorizes New Yorkers. Ta.
Jones has previously slammed funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, calling the agency a “racist agency” and saying its agents commit “unimaginable atrocities” along the border. criticized.
“Cruelty is the point. And the fact that the Democratic-controlled House gave $1.4 billion to #ICE is cause for self-reflection. We have to do better as a party,” Jones said. He said this in an interview on June 6, 2019. Statement regarding X The first time he ran for Congress.
On February 3, 2021, Jones, who is Black, said, “We're only three days into #BlackHistoryMonth, and ICE is already sending planes carrying Black people to Cameroon and Haiti in defiance of Executive Order.” ICE is a racist organization. ”
He supported legislation that would limit deportations and give immigration judges discretion in proceedings, which critics argued would encourage a “catch-and-release” policy.
Jones now says on his website that he supports a “bipartisan” Senate Border Security Agreement that would strengthen border security and hire more border workers.
But his lawyers argued that Jones was changing his stripes to hide his pro-open borders and pro-amnesty background.
“Mondale Jones ranks as one of the most radical politicians in the entire 117th Congress due to his extreme background. Mr. Mondale has advocated for sanctuary cities and amnesty for sex offenders and gang members. “While we support it, we oppose funding for a border wall,” said Chris Russell, a spokesman for Lawler's campaign.
“He has also called for defunding ICE and attacked federal immigration officials as racist. Mr. Mondale's votes and rhetoric have caused the current chaos at the border, and if he Things will get even worse if we go back to ,” Lawlor’s representative added.
Jones had no immediate comment.
On his website, Mr. Jones criticized Mr. Lawler for rejecting the proposed border deal, which did not pass the House or come to a vote in the full Senate.
Jones is seeking a return to Congress after two years in the political wilderness.
After redistricting in 2022, Jones decided to relocate and ran for Congress in the 10th District, which includes lower Manhattan and brownstone Brooklyn. He lost the Democratic primary to the current congressman. Dan Goldman.
Mr. Jones will then return to the 17th District this year to face Mr. Lawler, who defeated the former congressman. Sean Patrick Maloney, former House Democratic Campaign Committee Chair.
This year's 17th District results could help determine which party controls the House next year.
Cook Political Report rates the race as a close one.
