New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) clashed with New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) over the latter’s plan to distribute migrants arriving in the city to other parts of the state.
Hochul’s attorney penned a letter accusing Adams of inadequately managing the crisis. The core contention revolves around housing and support for migrants.
Mayor Adams has urged the diffusion of the responsibility for housing migrants to other New York cities. However, Hochul retorted, “Let’s be very clear — you cannot involuntarily take people from the city and send them all over the state of New York.” She emphasized that pushing migrants into less populated areas is not a compassionate solution.
Crime concerns linked to migrant housing centers have led to pushback from Adams’ own constituents. In response, Adams has called on the Biden administration to proclaim a border emergency, enabling other states to aid in housing migrants.
Hochul’s attorney’s letter rebuked Adams for sluggish action, particularly in not deploying already allocated funds for migrant relocation. The letter also highlighted the ordeal of migrants sleeping on the streets when beds were reportedly available.
Hochul commented, “It is true that they did not accept some of the help we offered.” Meanwhile, Mayor Adams estimates that migrants could impose a $12 billion expenditure on NYC over the upcoming three years without state and federal intervention.
In light of accusations of sexual assaults at migrant housing venues in Erie County, the governor has dispatched the National Guard to amplify security measures around these centers.
Despite the disputes, both Hochul and Adams converge on a shared view: the necessity for the federal government to allow migrants legal employment opportunities. As Hochul states, “The number one priority for those here is to be able to get a job… We want them to get employment, but there’s constraint at the federal level as far as their designation.”
