Issues: Crime

I-Team: State Senator Wants Hearings on Toxic RentalDEC says Harlem tenants treated fairly, but will change notification policy

By Chris Glorioso and Tom Burke |  Wednesday, Jul 11, 2012  |  Updated 7:33 AM EDT

Senator Gianaris was interviewed on Susan Arbetter's show, discussing the probability of ending session without a deal on the decriminalization of marijuana and teacher evaluations.

Listen to the audio here.

As reported by the Queens Chronicle:

The Obama Administration isn’t waiting for a stalled Congress to make a decision on immigration policy for youth, and Queens politicians and community groups are applauding the initiative.

President Obama issued a policy directive halting the deportation of illegal students who would qualify for the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act on June 15. Some Republican politicians nationwide, even some who would support the change legislatively, are calling the policy directive a ploy to grab the Latino vote in the upcoming presidential election.

Many Queens politicians disagree, saying the president made the right call.

“For many undocumented immigrants, America is the only country they know.In their hearts and minds they are American. Sadly, Republicans either can’t, or choose not to understand this. By blocking the DREAM Act, they denied millions of undocumented Americans the opportunity to achieve the American Dream,” state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights) said.