New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is denouncing the anti-immigration sentiment that has permeated the nation's political discourse.
Cuomo, a Democrat, spoke Monday at the annual National Immigrant Integration Conference in Brooklyn.
He mocked the sentiment shared by some that immigrants should stay out of "our land."
The governor thundered "Your land? Are you a Navajo?" before stressing that New York's tradition is to welcome arrivals from all backgrounds.
He touted his own family's struggles after emigrating from Italy to the United States and said the state views immigrants "as an asset" and "not a liability."
Cuomo also highlighted his administration's efforts to help immigrant workers. He said the state has returned $28.9 million to more than 24,000 workers who were victims of wage theft since the beginning of this year.
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