Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Hochul's office says New York Republicans 'have taken no action' to solve migrant crisis
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Feb 4, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
NYC Mayor's Office
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Feb 4, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office on Sunday criticized Republican members of the state’s congressional delegation for failing to help address the migrant crisis.
State Director of Operations Kathryn Garcia wrote in a letter that the lawmakers “have taken no action to help address this national crisis, and in fact waited until this past week to even reach out to our Administration and express your concerns.”
The letter was in response to one sent on Jan. 26 by nine Republican Congressional representatives, including Reps. Elise Stefanik and Nicole Malliotakis. The letter stated the group was “shocked” Hochul didn’t join 25 other governors in supporting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s “efforts to secure the U.S. Southern Border.” It also accused President Biden of failing to secure New York’s northern border with Canada.
Garcia said the Republicans — who hold a majority in the House of Representatives — have “refused to deliver” on immigration reforms that could help ease the number of migrants coming to New York.
“Though Governor Hochul has spent months calling for significant federal aid, thus far you and your colleagues in the House Majority have refused to deliver,” Garcia said in the letter. “If at any point you and your colleagues are ready to stop grandstanding and work collaboratively on a serious solution, I assure you this administration is willing to work with you.”
Garcia sent the letter two days after negotiators in the Democrat-controlled Senate announced a bipartisan agreement on a national security bill that would change the way asylum seekers are processed at the U.S. southern border. The measure would still need approval by the Republican-controlled House.
“We have not received any indication that you support this bipartisan compromise,” Garcia wrote in the letter.
In a statement responding to Garcia, Stefanik accused Hochul and Biden of “attempting to pass the buck” on the migrant crisis.
“Does Kathy Hochul think New Yorkers are stupid?” Stefanik said.
Tagged
new york city
Politics
Asylum Seekers
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man charged with hate crime at Jewish-owned bagel shop displaying Israeli flags
Prosecutors say the 22-year-old damaged property outside the Fresh Meadows shop twice in May.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:07 p.m. ET
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
News
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
By
David Brand
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .