Ellis Island Will Host Andrew Cuomo's Third Inauguration

NEW YORK — Andrew Cuomo will start his new term just across the water from Lady Liberty. The Democratic New York governor's third inauguration will be held Jan. 1 on Ellis Island, his office announced Tuesday.

More than 12 million immigrants were processed on the island — part of which is in New Jersey — in its days as a U.S. immigration station. Cuomo ran for a third term as a fighter against President Donald Trump, whom the governor cast as hostile to immigrants.

"In these stormy times, Ellis Island is an enduring symbol of who we are as a nation," Cuomo said in a statement. "This historic gateway to America reminds us of the core values that built our state and our country, and it will serve as a fitting location to launch a new term fighting for New Yorkers and for the soul of this nation."

Cuomo sailed to a third term when he defeated Marc Molinaro, the Republican Dutchess County executive, in the Nov. 6 general election.

Cuomo made two inaugural speeches — one at One World Trade Center and another in Buffalo — in January 2015 on the same day his father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, died. The governor reportedly delivered his first inauguration speech at the State Capitol in Albany on New Year's Day 2011.

Somewhat ironically, most of Ellis Island is within New Jersey's boundary. But Cuomo's ceremony will reportedly be held in the island's Main Building, which lies in New York, according to the National Park Service. All of the island is federal property.

(Lead image: Gov. Andrew Cuomo appears at his 2015 inauguration at One World Trade Center. Photo from Gov. Andrew Cuomo/Flickr)