Cuomo directs officials to assist people detained at NY airports

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) sent state officials to protect the massive groups of demonstrators gathering outside John F. Kennedy International Airport on Saturday evening in protest of President Trump’s immigration ban.

“I have directed the Port Authority, the Department of State, and my Counsel’s Office to jointly explore all legal options to assist anyone detained at New York airports, and ensure that their rights are protected,” Cuomo said in a statement.

Massive crowds have gathered at New York’s JFK airport in protest of Trump’s executive order calling for a temporary immigration ban that led to the detainment of several refugees at the airport.

One of the detainees has since been released, but crowds have continued to grow.

Trump on Friday signed an executive order that he said would provide a thorough vetting of refugees to ensure that “radical Islamic terrorists” cannot get into the United States. 

MORE: @NYGovCuomo orders MTA, state police to ensure safety of protesters: “The people of New York will have their voices heard.” pic.twitter.com/HNk8oztJyG

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 29, 2017

“I never thought I’d see the day when refugees, who have fled war-torn countries in search of a better life, would be turned away at our doorstep,” Cuomo said in a statement.

“We are a nation of bridges, not walls, and a great many of us still believe in the words ‘give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses…’

“This is not who we are, and not who we should be,” Cuomo said.

Cuomo said he had directed the Port Authority, New York State Department and his Counsel’s Office to explore “all legal options” to assist the people detained at New York airports following Trump’s immigration ban.

“America is a nation of laws and those laws provide rights that must be respected and followed regardless of political ideology,” he added.