John,

Exactly two years ago today, I became your Governor. I work every day on your behalf to address the needs of New Yorkers.

I’m sure you’ve seen that people are coming to New York to seek asylum status in the United States, so they can find safety and ultimately work to support themselves. Over the past year, more than 100,000 asylum seekers have arrived in our state, resulting in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

We have provided enormous resources to support cities and counties — including securing $1.5 billion to provide shelter, National Guard troops, public health support, transit assistance, case management, and legal services to asylum seekers.

We have managed thus far without substantive support from Washington, despite the fact immigration is a national — and inherently federal — issue. But New York has shouldered this burden alone for too long, and this crisis is not slowing down.

Earlier today, I sent a formal request to the White House calling for a series of actions to support the more than 100,000 asylum seekers in New York. This includes:  

✅ Calling for expedited work authorization for asylum seekers, so we can get people out of shelter and into the workforce 

✅ Requesting federal financial assistance for housing, schools, health care, legal services, case management, and shelter we provide to asylum seekers 

✅ Identifying federally-owned land and sites to use as temporary shelters, as asylum seekers await legal work status  

✅ Reimbursement for the costs of our National Guard deployment  

These individuals are literally fleeing for their lives, whether it be from political strife, gang violence, extreme poverty, or persecution. They are coming to this country with the same goal my grandparents did to build a better life for their family.  

And while my grandpa started as a migrant farm worker, he and millions who came before us lived the American Dream that has beaconed people from across the globe to be welcomed by the Statue of Liberty — because he could work legally. 

At the end of the day, New York will continue to be that beacon of hope and freedom from oppression. We are a state that cherishes our diversity and inclusiveness, and we always will be.  

So, my message to the federal government is simple: Let them work.

Let them begin to build their lives here and contribute to our great state, as so many of our forebearers once did before.

Ever Upward,

Gov. Kathy Hochul