Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York claimed on MSNBC Monday morning that he was an “immigrant,” despite being born in the United States.
Host Stephanie Ruhle asked Cumo if, “New York [is] prepared for those people when the airports open to leave Puerto Rico and move to your state?” in reference to the victims of the recent recent disaster in Puerto Rico.
Gov. Cuomo stated, “New York is prepared to do whatever we can do to help. We believe in immigration in New York. We are a state of immigrants. I am an immigrant. I’m wholly against this anti-immigrant fever that has been stoked during the political campaign.”
Andrew Cuomo was born in New York City, making him an American citizen. Cuomo’s father, Mario, was also born in the United States, in New York City.
Cuomo’s statement about immigration is doubly confusing given that Puerto Ricans have American citizenship and can therefore not technically immigrate to the United States.