New York Congressional Candidates Clash over Border Security and Rule of Law

Former NYPD Deputy Inspector Alison Esposito and incumbent Rep. Patrick Ryan, D-N.Y., trade barbs over immigration, border security, and the role of veterans in public service.

Former NYPD Deputy Inspector Alison Esposito, now a Republican congressional candidate, and incumbent Democratic Rep. Patrick Ryan are locked in a heated battle over immigration, border security, and the role of veterans in public service.

Esposito, endorsed by Rep. Elise Stefanik's Republican women's candidate group, E-PAC, has slammed Ryan for his stance on immigration, claiming that he portrays himself as a moderate but has enacted policies that support sanctuary cities.

New York Congressional Candidates Clash over Border Security and Rule of Law

"He wants to play the moderate game, but then, at the same time, it's important to remember when he was the Ulster County executive, he made Ulster a sanctuary county," Esposito said.

Ryan, an Iraq War veteran, pushed back against Esposito's claims, highlighting his recent trip to the southern border and bipartisan support from Hudson Valley law enforcement officials.

New York Congressional Candidates Clash over Border Security and Rule of Law

"He made Ulster a sanctuary county," Esposito said. "Now, I thank him very much for the service, and I respect it immensely. But I would submit that the second he took off that uniform, he stopped serving the American people."

Esposito also criticized Ryan for his support of sending migrants to upriver suburbs like Orangeburg, Middletown, and Newburgh.

New York Congressional Candidates Clash over Border Security and Rule of Law

"It was only a matter of time. … They were fine with the influx at the southern border as long as [migrants] stayed in the south," she said. "When the [border-state] governors were dealing with thousands a day, they would send a couple hundred up. And now you have the same sanctuary politicians screaming, ‘Oh no, wait, this is unsustainable’."

Ryan responded by emphasizing the importance of border security and his demand that President Biden seal the border by executive order.

New York Congressional Candidates Clash over Border Security and Rule of Law

"The No. 1 thing I learned as an Army officer: When in charge, take charge. We are in a crisis; the president is in charge," Ryan said.

Esposito illustrated her own recent visit to Orange County, where she highlighted a case involving an individual on the deportation list who was allegedly responsible for two deaths.

"You come out of ShopRite in Middletown, and you have the migrants and the illegal immigrants holding their babies, selling water, selling roses," Esposito said.

Stefanik praised Esposito and other endorsed women at her E-PAC event, saying they could make the difference in November.

"With the help of these rising stars, House Republicans are going to … help save our country from the disastrous policies of far-left Democrats," Stefanik said.

Both candidates agree that rule of law and border security are top election issues, but their differing perspectives on the role of veterans in public service and the best approach to immigration have emerged as key points of contention in the race.