New York State Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) joined his Republican colleagues in the state Senate and Assembly to call on Gov. Kathy Hochul to convene a special session of the Legislature to address the ongoing migrant crisis. During the last year, more than 100,000 migrants have traveled to New York state after crossing the southern border causing an increase in homelessness, reports of violent crime and imposing an unprecedented burden on state and local government services.
“Last week I joined my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate in calling for an extraordinary session to address the ongoing migrant crisis,” said Assemblyman Slater. “Our state continues to create safety concerns as well as detrimental impacts on hardworking taxpayers. This crisis cannot be resolved through the media but with thoughtful legislation to deal with the crisis head-on.”
In the letter from Assembly Republicans, Slater and his colleagues wrote, “With the lack of appropriate action coming from Washington D.C. and little reason to believe immediate help is on the way, the duly elected representatives of New York have a responsibility to take matters into their own hands.”
As introduced by Slater, one of the bills Assembly Republicans called to be placed on the agenda is A.7319-A, which would require New York state to register all migrants in order to assist with background checks and monitor refugees seeking asylum in the state. If it had been in place, Slater’s bill would have helped prevent the violent sexual assaults committed by migrants relocated to suburban Buffalo by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
In addition, the letter from Assembly Republicans specifically identified the following legislation for consideration:
Legislation requiring the state comptroller to examine and audit all state and federal funds received and appropriated for humanitarian aid in New York City or any municipality.
Legislation protecting counties and municipalities from “Right to Shelter” confusion by requiring local governing bodies in New York state to opt-in to accept migrants from other jurisdictions.
Legislation ensuring funding is not used to shelter migrants in schools, daycare centers or community-based organizations.
Legislation reversing the Executive Order of 2017 that prohibits law enforcement from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration law. This would end New York’s status as an illegal immigration sanctuary.
Adoption of a resolution calling on the federal government to provide financial assistance to the state and properly address the border crisis it created.
Assemblyman Slater concluded, “Because of the Biden Administration’s decision to functionally open our southern border and the failed pro-illegal immigrant policies that have made New York City and New York State magnets for migrants, the state Legislature must act to protect our communities. Gov. Hochul has a responsibility to bring all 213 state legislators back to Albany to take up our comprehensive agenda.”
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