A coalition of New York's congressional representatives, in a bold move on February 7, 2024, issued a stark letter to Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, calling for an immediate cessation of taxpayer dollars being funneled into efforts that, they argue, exacerbate New York City's escalating migrant crisis. The letter, signed by nine Members of Congress, including Nick LaLota, Nicole Malliotakis, and Elise Stefanik, among others, positions the crisis as a direct consequence of the Biden Administration's immigration policies and the sanctuary city protocols upheld by state and city leadership.
The representatives criticized the recent $53 million contract to distribute free prepaid credit cards to migrants in New York City alongside Governor Hochul's budget proposal, which outlines nearly $2.4 billion towards continuing migrant support services while slashing funding for certain school districts. "By choosing to stand by the sanctuary city policies in place which have exacerbated this crisis, and implementing new policies to help those who have illegally entered this country is only incentivizing more illegal immigration," the letter states, reflecting deep frustration among the signatories over the use of public funds to sustain the migrant influx.
Citing the core reasons for the crisis as the federal government's open border stance and the local government's welcoming policies, the lawmakers argue that these actions have created a magnet for migrants to unlawfully cross into the United States, seeking asylum and the benefits offered by New York State and City. The congressional members express outrage over the allocation of taxpayer dollars towards what they perceive as a mismanagement of the crisis, highlighting a significant disconnect between public expenditure and safeguarding taxpayer interests.
The letter also underscores the belief in the American Dream and the importance of upholding the nation's laws and constitutional framework. It references the Secure the Border Act passed by House Republicans on May 11, 2023, as a legislative effort to compel the Biden Administration to address border security issues. The signatories offer a list of recommendations for the President, including ending Catch and Release, reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy, and resuming construction of the border wall, among others, as steps towards mitigating the migrant crisis.
As New York grapples with the challenges posed by the ongoing migrant situation, this collective plea from its congressional delegation to o Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams marks a critical juncture in the discourse on immigration, sanctuary policies, and the allocation of state and city resources. With the lawmakers firmly opposing the use of taxpayer dollars without a significant reevaluation of sanctuary city policies, the letter catalyzes a broader discussion on the sustainability of current approaches to the migrant crisis in New York State and City.