Albany, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called on President Joe Biden and his administration on Thursday to take executive action and direct additional federal resources to the state as it manages the unprecedented influx of migrants seeking asylum.
In a formal request sent to the White House on Thursday morning, Gov. 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.
"The reality is, we've managed, thus far, without substantive support from Washington. And despite the fact that this is a national, indeed an inherently federal issue, New York has shouldered this burden for far too long," said Gov. Kathy Hochul in an announcement on Thursday.
"I do believe we have a moral imperative to help these new arrivals. I'm grateful to the counties that have welcomed and supported the migrants, and we will continue to partner with them. But to level with New Yorkers, bearing much needed changes at the border, there does not appear to be a solution to this federal problem anytime soon. ... This crisis originated with the federal government, and it must be resolved through the federal government. The borders and decisions about who can work are solely determined by the federal government."
Gov. Hochul also announced a program that will greatly expand the State's ability to help asylum seekers quickly gain lawful employment. She has directed the New York State Department of Labor to help connect asylum seekers to employment opportunities so they can begin working immediately after obtaining federal work authorization.
All asylum seekers with work authorization in New York can now register for assistance here.
The Department of Labor's career experts will work with individuals to assess skills, work history, education, career interests and more, and connect them with employers across the state. Additionally, the Department of Labor launched a portal enabling businesses to inform the state they would welcome newly-authorized individuals into their workforce.
"Since July of 2022, in our first meeting with the President, Mayor Adams and I have championed the idea of a federal designation that would allow the individuals already here in New York the ability to work, to support themselves and their families. The mayor and I said then and in countless meetings with Congress, the White House, Cabinet members, at rallies with labor, press conferences and working with business, what we've said all along is just let them work, and help us out financially," Gov. Hochul said.
Thursday's actions are Gov. Hochul's latest efforts to address the arrival of asylum seekers and migrants in New York. Earlier this week, Gov. Hochul announced a $20 million investment to help expedite the casework filing process for more than 30,000 asylum seekers. This investment builds on the $1.5 billion the state already committed to support New York City by providing funding for health care, shelter costs, National Guard personnel, legal services, and voluntary relocation programs.
The state has also loaned New York City sites to use as temporary shelters, which currently house more than 2,000 asylum seekers every day.
"Our quest continues to squarely tell the White House: 'Let them work.' Until that happens, we'll continue to need funding and sites from the federal government to help cover the massive expenses of sheltering 10s of thousands of people in our country and our state today. But also, ultimately, we need comprehensive immigration reform from Congress," Hochul said. "Here's how New Yorkers can help: Contact your local member of Congress. If you're represented by a Republican, please ask them to stop politicizing people's lives, stop fighting President Biden's comprehensive smart solutions, and work together towards solving this. If you're represented by a Democrat, ask them to support my plan for more engagement and direct support from the administration.
"New Yorkers, at the end of the day, we will continue to be that beacon of hope and freedom from oppression that has drawn people here and made us so incredibly fascinating. We are a state that cherishes our diversity and our inclusiveness, and we always will. For me, the answer to these two crises - humanitarian crisis and workforce crisis - it's so crystal clear and common sense: Let them get the work authorizations, let them work legally. Let them work."
Here is some of Gov. Hochul's letter to President Biden:
"Dear President Biden:
"New York State has been working with the City of New York to manage the arrival of a significant number of migrants and individuals seeking asylum in New York over the past year. This influx has stretched the City's and State's resources, created tremendous operational and management challenges, and imposed overwhelming demands on the City's homeless shelters. I wrote to you earlier this year to ask for the use of certain federal properties to provide temporary shelter. While I appreciate you taking initial steps to assist the State in this regard and your longstanding commitment to an equitable approach to immigration at the Southwest border, the challenges we face demand a much more vigorous federal response. With the arrival of over 100,000 asylum seekers and migrants in the past year, coupled with the sustained arrival of hundreds if not thousands to the City every week, the federal government must partner with the City and State in handling this humanitarian crisis. The City and the State have provided significant funding, staffing, and case management for these arrivals to date. I write to you today to express a most urgent need for the federal government to take executive action and direct significant financial assistance to address this challenge."
You can read the Governor's entire letter available here.
