NY-05 Gary Ackerman (Dem.)
Election Facts
Length of Time in Office
- 13th Term
- First Elected 1983
2008 Congressional Election
- Gary Ackerman (D-I-WFP) 112,724
- Elizabeth Berney (R) 43,039
2008 Presidential Election
- Obama 128,158
- McCain 73,125
District Demographics
- Hispanic 24.3%
- Asian 28.9%
- White 41.1%
- Black 4.2%
Report Card
Gary Ackerman represents two very different areas. He is the Congressional Representative for part of America’s #1 immigrant county, Queens. The Fifth District includes New York’s largest Asian neighborhood, Flushing, and is home to thriving Dominican, Ecuadoran, and other Latino neighborhoods.
About a quarter of Ackerman’s district hugs suburban Long Island’s North Shore, including some of the most expensive real estate in the country. The Long Island section is politically liberal and generally supportive of immigrant rights. Immigrant communities have put down solid roots in places like Glen Cove and Manorhaven in Nassau and are beginning to join their allies in Queens in lobbying Rep. Ackerman.
Ackerman’s record on immigration issues has been very good. He consistently gets zeroes from anti-immigrant lobbying groups and he is a reliable vote for immigrant rights. He is a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act which would give legal status to undocumented immigrants brought here by their parents. He is also a co-sponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform ASAP bill introduced by Rep. Gutierrez and supported by 100 members of Congress.
Local community groups hope Congressman Ackerman will spend more time meeting with the immigrant community and attending the many events organized by ethnic organizations in the neighborhoods.
Voting Record
Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border Reference: Secure Fence Act; Bill H R 6061 ; vote number 2006-446 on Sep 14, 2006 Took the PRO-Immigrant Position.
Voted NO on preventing tipping off Mexicans about Minuteman Project. Reference: Department of Homeland Security appropriations; Bill HR 5441 Amendment 968 ; vote number 2006-224 on Jun 6, 2006. Took the PRO-Immigrant Position.
Voted NO on reporting undocumented immigrants who receive hospital treatment. Reference: Undocumented Alien Emergency Medical Assistance Amendments; Bill HR 3722 ; vote number 2004-182 on May 20, 2004. Took the PRO-Immigrant Position.
Voted YES on extending Immigrant Residency rules. Reference: Motion sponsored by Gekas, R-PA; Bill HR1885 ; vote number 2001-127 on May 21, 2001. Took the PRO-Immigrant Position.
Contact Gary Ackerman
Washington, DC
2243 Rayburn House Office Building
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2601
Bayside Office
218-14 Northern Boulevard
Bayside, NY 11361
Phone: (718) 423-2154
Fax: (718) 423-5053
