New York Governor Kathy Hochul has decided to continue the state’s emergency response to the large number of people seeking asylum. This extension will be in effect until November 21, and it’s meant to give local communities more time and flexibility to get the resources they need to help asylum-seekers and provide humanitarian assistance.
Governor Hochul is determined to make sure that both the state and local authorities get the support they need to deal with this unprecedented humanitarian challenge.
The emergency order was first declared by Governor Hochul back in May when the Title 42 COVID-19 restrictions on asylum ended. This policy change allowed more asylum-seekers to enter the U.S., leading to a significant increase in New York. As a result, the emergency order was extended in August.
This emergency order gives the state the ability to use resources to assist asylum-seekers in cities and towns. It also allows for the deployment of additional National Guard members to help with logistics and operations. So far, almost 2,000 troops have been sent to help with the processing and legal procedures for asylum-seekers.
Additionally, the extended order lets the state and local governments quickly obtain supplies and resources, including food and equipment, for the migrants.
Related: New York City Citizens Are Paying Taxes For 120,000 Illegal Migrants
In the past year, New York has seen over 125,000 migrants arriving due to the high number of people coming to the U.S.-Mexico border, which has reached historically high levels in recent months.
Currently, New York City is providing assistance to a significant number of over 64,000 migrants who are staying in more than 200 emergency shelters. The city’s response to this situation is expected to cost around $12 billion in the coming years. The state has already allocated more than $1 billion for housing and essential resources for these migrants.
Critics, primarily from the Republican Party, argue that New York City’s laws, such as the right-to-shelter and sanctuary policies, may be contributing to illegal immigration into the state. They have also expressed concerns about the state and federal government’s expenditures on housing and support for these migrants.
Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams have proposed a temporary suspension of the right-to-shelter requirements to better manage the influx of migrants and enhance the state’s capacity to respond to emergencies. However, this move is facing opposition from immigrant rights groups, who fear that it could potentially result in asylum-seeking families with children being left without shelter.
