NY Gov. Hochul Criticizes NYC Mayor for Mismanaging Migrant Crisis
In what appears to be a growing rift between New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Hochul’s attorneys released a letter chastising the city administration for its mishandling of the ongoing migrant influx. The letter, issued on Wednesday, accuses the city of failing to respond adequately to the crisis and failing to coordinate care for asylum seekers.
The release of the letter comes as Hochul faces increasing political fallout for the transportation of migrants from the city to various locations across the state. In response, the city claims that it will continue to work as a partner with the state in dealing with the crisis. However, they assert that migrants still need to be sent to locations around the state.
Hochul’s attorneys point out in the letter that the responsibility for caring for migrants falls on the city. However, they claim that the Adams administration has missed opportunities to effectively utilize the $1.5 billion in state aid allocated for this purpose. According to the letter, the city worsened the crisis by busing migrants to Rochester without coordinating the trip with state or local officials.
This public disagreement contradicts previous statements made by Hochul and Adams, in which they portrayed a working partnership without blame or political deflection, as was common during the Cuomo and DeBlasio era.
The letter from Hochul’s attorneys states that a lack of coordination from the city has impeded the state’s ability to foster productive relationships and discussions regarding the crisis. They further emphasize that the city’s failure to inform the state about critical incidents occurring in shelters outside of the city has compounded the difficulties faced by all parties involved.
In response, the Adams administration sees the letter as encouraging, suggesting that the state will take a more proactive role in their response. The administration calls for additional space around the state and a statewide order prohibiting localities from preventing the relocation of asylum seekers to other parts of New York state.
According to Deputy Mayor of Communications Fabien Levy, thousands of city employees, hundreds of volunteers, and community-based organizations have gone to great lengths to provide food, shelter, and care to the largest influx of asylum seekers the city has ever seen. However, with limited resources, Levy emphasizes the need for more support from the state and national partners, as the crisis is of significant magnitude. Levy asserts that the city has already spent over $1.7 billion, with an expected expenditure of $5 billion this fiscal year if adequate support is not provided. He highlights that the city has already provided shelter and services to more than 100,000 asylum seekers.
Hochul’s letter criticizes the city for its inefficient use and lack of accountability regarding the spending of state aid. It also accuses the Adams administration of failing to seize opportunities, such as utilizing state land for temporary shelters or requesting changes in state regulations to expedite aid and resources. Furthermore, the letter criticizes the city for not acting promptly on opportunities to waive federal requirements, which would allow migrants to accept employment. Hochul has stressed the importance of migrants filling jobs in the midst of a labor shortage as a key solution to the migrant crisis.
While the state reiterates its commitment to assisting the city, the letter makes it clear that the city’s active cooperation, coordination, and communication with the state, counties, and localities are essential.
A spokesperson for Governor Hochul, Avi Small, stated that the state has deployed unprecedented resources to support the city’s efforts and will continue working closely with them to provide aid and support.
The ongoing disagreement between the state and the city highlights the challenges faced in managing the migrant crisis. Balancing responsibilities and resources while ensuring effective coordination remains a complex task for all parties involved. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for state and local officials to work together to find solutions and alleviate the challenges faced by migrants and the communities hosting them.
