<p>Donna and Bill&nbsp;Leduc woke up in the middle of the night to find a man in their living room and a woman in their bathroom. With the help of a translator app, they discovered the pair had entered the country illegally by crossing the border near the couple&rsquo;s home in upstate New York.</p>


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This couple awoke to find two strangers inside their home. What they did next may surprise you.

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Tthe U.S.-Canada border is the longest in the world at 5,525 miles — more than twice as long as the border with Mexico — and it's pretty porous.

No fence. No barricade. Much of northern border looks like this.

Donna and Bill Leduc woke up in the middle of the night to find a man in their living room and a woman in their bathroom. With the help of a translator app, they discovered the pair had entered the country illegally by crossing the border near the couple's home in upstate New York.

Near Ozzie Glidden's property line on the northern border is a sign that says, "Stop. Do Not Cross," next to a person-sized hole in the fence.

He lives steps from the border. Illegal crossings have become a common sight.

Murad Awawdeh is president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, a policy and advocacy organization representing more than 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups statewide. "The vast majority of people who are coming to the U.S. at our southern and northern border are seeking refuge and safety," he said.

Advocates want help for immigrants 'fleeing for their lives'

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Attorney General Letitia James said her office sent cease and desist notices to 54 companies warning of financial penalties and prison time.

LI companies among more than 50 in state that stole from Medicaid, AG says

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Long Island has accumulated nearly $11.5 million in unclaimed gift card funds, amassed since 1985, according to the comptroller's office.

Holiday gift cards: Use them or lose them, NY warns residents

The ads misled workers about the hourly rates they could earn for household services on LI and elsewhere in the state, prosecutors said.

Angi Services to pay $2.95M to thousands of workers over misleading ads

She also proposed creating a pool of child care teachers and substitute teachers through to provide staff to keep child care centers open and to work in new centers that will be built.

Hochul wants state to subsidize construction of new child care centers

A recent federal report found New York State is dealing with the highest per capita rate of homelessness in the country.

What to know about the homelessness surge in New York

The number of legal cannabis stores has skyrocketed from about 80 in early 2024 to 275 by the end of the year, Gov. Hochul says.

Retail cannabis sales top $1B as NYS program overcomes slow start

The move comes after several high profile violent incidents in the New York City subway system, including the death of a woman who was set on fire.

Hochul seeks to expand mental health laws to curb subway violence

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Encounters at the northern land border have increased by nearly 82% percent from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2024 

Illegal crossings rise along NY's 445-mile border with Canada

Since 1985, gift cards worth $11.4 million have gone unused on Long Island, according to state officials. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports. 

'Use it as quickly as possible'

Lawmakers argue the state's animal sale ban, set to go into effect Sunday, would put pet store owners out of business. Newsday's Robert Brodsky reports.

Pet stores say they face 'financial ruin' if NYS ban is enacted

Gov. Kathy Hochul says 8.6 million New Yorkers would receive checks, including 1.3 million people on Long Island. 

Rebate checks for NYers would range from $300 to $500

Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to announce restrictions on the use of cellphones in schools, which would take effect next September. Newsday State Capitol correspondent Keshia Clukey reports.

'The idea would be bell to bell'

The state's "Clean Slate" has gone into effect, sealing some convictions once a person has completed their sentence. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa and Newsday Albany bureau chief Yancey Roy report.

'There are guardrails in place'

Democratic officials are warning that NY could be a target of "retribution" from President-elect Trump, Newsday's Albany reporter Michael Gormley reports.

'New York is kind of bracing for this'

A state audit calls for better use of public money to redevelop coastal areas after damaging storms, including building affordable housing. Newday Albany correspondent Michael Gormley has more on the report.

Audit: Weaknesses in state's recovery response after damaging storms

A hot political issue this election season is the SALT tax deduction cap, which residents and elected officials want repealed. NewsdayTV's Pat Dolan reports.

'We'll continue being annoyed'

A new Siena College Research Institute poll shows former President Donald Trump is trailing Democratic challenger Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race among registered voters statewide. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. 

Double-digit lead in New York poll

NewsdayTV's Joye Brown talks one-on-one with GOP candidate Michael Sapraicone, who's running against Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand, at NewsdayTV studios.

U.S. Senate: One-on-one with GOP candidate Michael Sapraicone at NewsdayTV studios

Many Long Islanders are feeling the impact of the $10,000 SALT tax cap, especially those with high property values. NewsdayTV's Drew Scott reports.

'We're taxed to death'

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From Long Beach to Shelter Island, Long Island is a cool place if you want to delve into a Polar Plunge.

Guide to indoor fun on LI

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