The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will stay open amidst the government shutdown. They’re part of the National Park Service.
Governor Cuomo reached a deal with the Interior Department to have the state pay $65,000 a day to keep them open. Cuomo says New York State will keep paying to operate the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as long as Congress is at an impasse.
He says the closure of the statue is a metaphor for what he says President Trump and Congress are doing through their policies on immigration.
“When they try to kick out immigrants, when they try to deport Dreamers, they’re trying to close down the Statue of Liberty,” said Cuomo. “I’m volunteering that the state will pay to keep the Statue of Liberty open.”
Cuomo spoke after offering remarks at the March for Women in New York City.