Governor Declares Emergency As HV, NYC War Over Migrant Influx

NEW YORK — As Rockland County Executive Ed Day stationed sheriff's deputies to spy out any busloads of migrants headed to the suburban community from NYC, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a disaster emergency over the influx of asylum seekers into the state.

The declaration should speed up distribution of $1 billion in state funds promised to New York City and broaden the money's reach to include "affected local governments."

The executive order was issued because many more migrants are expected to arrive in New York as federal Title 42 limiting immigration because of COVID ends May 11.

"For more than a year, we have been working closely with Mayor Adams to provide support and advocate for federal resources to address the large numbers of asylum seekers arriving in New York City," Hochul said in a news release. "With Title 42 set to expire, the circumstances on the ground are expected to change significantly and this executive order will be an important part of our coordinated response. I have spoken to Mayor Adams and county executives throughout New York as we work to address this situation."

Since 2022, more than 60,000 migrants have been bused to NYC, mostly by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and while two-thirds of them are housed in city-run or -funded shelters such as an NYPD precinct gym, officials have said they're running out of space.

The state order was issued days after a city plan to rent space for several hundred single male migrants for four months at two hotels in Orange and Rockland County became public. It infuriated and galvanized officials in both counties.

• NYC Plan For Migrants Like 'Human Trafficking' - Rockland County Exec
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The fighting escalated rapidly. Over the weekend, County Executive Day threatened to throttle NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Mid Hudson News reported, though instead of "Extreme actions warrant extreme measures. I warned the NYC Mayor that if you try to run us down we will reach up and grab you by the throat" the Facebook post now says, "Extreme actions warrant extreme measures. I warned the NYC Mayor that if you try to run us down you will find me and others in your way and we won't back up."

Day, on Saturday, and Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus on Monday made state of emergency declarations prohibiting local hotels from accepting contracts with other municipalities for housing groups of migrants.

On Monday, Day told reporters he had ordered county sheriff's deputies to local exits off the New York State Thruway,saying they were simply asked to report seeing unusual activity such as buses.

Rockland County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. thanked the governor for her efforts, acknowledging in a statement that, "Many of those who enter are likely to make their way to New York City and surrounding communities, including Rockland County."

However, he said, "These migrants are human beings in need, and they don’t need to be pawns in a political scuffle. They have left failed countries, and fled because of extreme poverty, drug cartels and more. Rockland County, like similar communities across America, is not set up to handle the demands presented by their needs, nor should local taxpayers have to bear the load of such expenses."

The city's stated plan is to cover the cost of those supports for four months.

However, Rockland officials said they worried the city would stop supporting the migrants after four months, pointing out that it usually takes at least six months for asylum seekers to get work permits.

Hochul said she has pushed for additional federal support, specifically regarding funding and shortened waiting periods before asylum seekers can legally work, raising the issue directly with President Joe Biden and other federal officials.

Hochul's disaster declaration will allow state and local governments to quickly purchase necessary supplies and resources, including food and equipment, so the executive order doesn't get the Hudson Valley counties off the hook.

Hochul's news release said it "will provide the state with greater flexibility to procure the resources necessary for municipalities to support asylum seekers while also allowing the state to increase the number of National Guard service members providing logistical and operational support."

After Hochul's declaration, Neuhaus took a broad view. "When the governor of one of the largest states in our nation has to declare a state of emergency relating to asylum matters, it is further evidence of the complete failure of the federal government to have a rational immigration policy," his spokesperson Justin Rodriguez said.

But state Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) said he thought it would just make things worse, as the state’s decision to provide health care, tuition assistance, housing, drivers licenses and other benefits would act as a magnet to immigrants.

He blamed NYC (for declaring itself a sanctuary city), President Biden, Hochul and "the Democrat party at every level."

"Late this afternoon I participated in the first briefing provided by Mayor Adams' office with elected officials on all levels of government. It is abundantly clear that their plan is wholly inadequate to deal with the current situation, let alone the coming wave of migrants," he said.

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