Governor Kathy Hochul called on President Biden to take executive action and direct additional federal resources to the State of New York as it manages the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers arriving in New York. In a formal request sent to the White House this morning, Governor Hochul outlined specific, outstanding requests, including expedited work authorizations for asylum seekers, financial assistance for New York City and New York State, the use of federal land and facilities for temporary shelter sites, and Title 32 designation to provide federal funding for the nearly 2,000 New York National Guard members currently providing logistical and operational support across the State.
Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado said, “We need to meet this moment and provide asylum seekers with compassion and needed services. The State is working to address this humanitarian crisis, but we can’t do it alone. We’re calling on the federal government to provide the full range of funding, facilities, and work authorization to this effort. We owe it to New Yorkers and to those coming here for a better life to find solutions at all levels of government to address this crisis and help our nation move forward.”
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Representative Jerrold Nadler said, “I am grateful for Governor Hochul’s work to address this humanitarian challenge. I am working closely with Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, the Biden Administration and my colleagues in the New York Congressional Democratic Delegation to ensure that New York has the necessary funds in needs while also working to establish quicker administrative pathways to expedite work authorizations for asylum seekers. This year, the Delegation has delivered more than $143 million for New York City through the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program and the new Shelter Services Program. While this was a step in the right direction, we need an all-hands-on-deck strategy at every level of government to address this challenge. It’s going to require Congressional Republicans coming to the table to work with us to ensure that New York City has the resources and support it needs to aid those who have sought refuge.”
Representative Nydia Velázquez said, “New York City and New York State are doing all they can to provide basic necessities for the 100,000 plus asylum seekers that have come to our state this year. However, it is clear that resources are stretched thin at the local and state levels, and New York cannot tackle this issue alone. I’m proud to join Governor Hochul in calling on the federal government to step up to support our city and asylum seekers during this trying time by providing increased funding, shelter, and expedited work authorization. With increased federal support, we can ensure that our state has the resources we need to care for migrants and effectively meet this moment.”
Representative Adriano Espaillat said, “We are a nation of immigrants and our response to the current influx of asylum seekers must be met with humanity. New York City alone has now welcomed over 100,000 migrants since Spring 2022. In response, we have opened close to 200 different emergency shelters and over a dozen large-scale humanitarian relief centers around the city. New York also secured federal approval to convert Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn into a migrant shelter, and I applaud Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts and partnership to make this a reality. Every level of government is working hand in hand to provide increased support, shelter, expedited work authorizations, and TPS for Venezuelans. Additionally, it remains critical that the upcoming supplemental include language that guarantees funding to New York City, which is shouldering the biggest burden in the country. Without a doubt, addressing the nation’s asylum seeker crisis will require increased assistance from all of our federal partners to ensure asylum seekers who arrive in the U.S. get the shelter and care they deserve in their hour of need. Together, we must manage this crisis and support the needs of our great city.”
Representative Joe Morelle said, “I am grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership in dealing with the large number of asylum seekers in New York State. I believe strongly in work requirements for all who seek asylum in the United States and am proud to partner with the Governor on common sense changes to asylum rules. I will continue to push for federal aid to ensure asylees can support their families and live independently.”
Representative Jamaal Bowman said, “Migrants and asylum-seekers fleeing violence and persecution deserve dignity and compassion, beginning with wraparound services that meet their basic needs. Our country would not be here without the culture, creativity, and hard work of all immigrants. I am proud to join Governor Hochul in this urgent call on the administration to direct more resources to us in New York so we can continue to support migrants. The New York State Department of Labor is also taking important steps to give asylum seekers opportunities to get work authorization so they can contribute to our economy and support themselves and their loved ones. Every migrant and asylum seeker deserves to receive work authorization. I hope that these new initiatives will be just some of many steps towards an immigration system that centers compassion, empathy, and humanity.”
Representative Ritchie Torres said, “There’s no question the federal government has fundamentally failed the City of New York. The wave of migration that has swept New York City has put unprecedented strain on our shelter system and available resources. It’s simply unsustainable. And while we should be a welcoming sanctuary to asylum seekers from around the world, the burden of this crisis has wholly fallen on the shoulders of New York City and State. I support Governor Kathy Hochul for urgently calling on the President to provide more federal support, temporary shelter, humanitarian aid, and to expedite work authorization for asylum seekers, which I believe he has the power to do unilaterally. The way out of this crisis isn’t shelter – it’s legal work status and independent living.”
Representative Dan Goldman said, “New York has served as a model for the nation in meeting the growing needs of tens of thousands of asylum seekers, but the lack of federal support has pushed our City and State to the brink. Without significant support from the federal government, our City and State services are overwhelmed, threatening a humanitarian crisis jeopardizing the public health and safety of New Yorkers. Since Republicans in Congress refuse to pass bipartisan, comprehensive immigration legislation to fix out broken system, it is left to the Biden Administration to use its authority to provide essential federal assistance for a federal issue. The responsibility simply cannot fall on New York alone.”
State Senator Julia Salazar said, “Governor Hochul is taking the decisive action that our state needs in a difficult situation by imploring the Biden administration to work with New York to compassionately and competently welcome asylum-seekers and refugees. Work authorizations must be expedited by the federal government so that our new neighbors, who are eager to work, can support their families as well as contribute to our state and local economies. New Yorkers have stepped up to welcome immigrants in our communities throughout our history, and we expect the federal government to do its part in helping us continue to do that.”
