New York gubernatorial candidates Elliot Spitzer and Tom Suozzi praised the Bangladeshi Americans as well as all the hard-working undocumented immigrants in the city during the South Asian-American Political Action Committee (SAAPAC) annual conference held on June 16.
In an interview with Thikana, both the Democratic candidates were asked two questions: What is your impression of Bangladeshis and South Asians in New York? What is your position on the immigration reform issue?
State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said that the South Asian immigrant population in New York has increased dramatically over the years. And as a community, Spitzer added, South Asians and many other immigrants are giving a significant contribution to the U.S. society.
Spitzer lauded the Bangladeshis for their hard work and determination to succeed in the United States, as well as for keeping their traditional culture that strengthens the multiracial component of the city. He hoped that Bangladeshis would continue to participate in the election process.
The Attorney General also said that since the South Asian-American Political Action Committee was launched, the organization has drawn attention of many people.
“I am happy to see SAAPAC’s great programs. I think that they are playing a historical role in building inter-community unity among the immigrant communities. For this matter, I would personally support the activities of this organization,” said Spitzer.
Regarding the immigration bill in the U.S. congress, Spitzer said: “New York City is a city of immigrants. Of the total population of the city, 40 percent is foreign-born. Immigrants built this city. I am always in favor of immigrants and I will always welcome them, particularly those who are working relentlessly to help build this country and those who perform their respective duties with sincerity and devotion.”
No one, he added, should doubt that immigrants play an important role in the politics and the economy of this country.
“To a great extent, the future of the United States is also dependent on immigrants. When immigrants achieve their goals, the United States also makes progress,” said Spitzer. “I hope that this bond of fraternity, which has been built up among immigrants through SAAPAC, will remain strong.”
“I have a nice experience about Bangladeshis,” Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi told Thikana. “They have come to the United States to follow their dreams. They are working towards that end and they are working more than others. And these immigrants are getting fruits of their labor. I also have an experienced an immigrant’s life because my father also came from a foreign country.”
Suozzi said that he supports the immigration bill that would legalize undocumented immigrants.
“I think all of them [undocumented] should get legal status. To achieve this goal, everyone should be united. For the last three decades, federal [immigration] law had not been enforced so strictly, so sudden measures to scale up enforcement will put a large segment of the population in the country in tremendous crisis,” Suozzi said.
The South Asian-American Political Action Committee, he added, is not an old organization. Despite that, he believes that if the organization can continue its meaningful activities, and can serve as a tool for many immigrants to climb to the mainstream ladder and achieve their goals. “I personally wish prosperity for SAAPAC.”
Suozzi said that if he were elected as New York governor in the coming elections, he would allocate $2.5 billion in state fund to increase the number of classrooms in the city, which he believes would solve many school problems.
“The present administration has not done that. I have already found where I would get the money because I am a CPA and an attorney. I know what should be done,” he said.
