In a recent development, Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and a group of New York Republican lawmakers have urged Governor Kathy Hochul to take immediate action to secure the northern border.
This call to action comes in the wake of a significant increase in illegal crossings from Canada. The lawmakers have suggested that Governor Hochul should follow the example set by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
In a letter addressed to Governor Hochul, Stefanik and her colleagues expressed their surprise at her absence from the list of 25 state governors who signed a joint statement in support of Abbott's efforts to secure the southern border. The lawmakers highlighted the impact of the migrant crisis on New York, stating, "As an all-time high number of illegal immigrants cross our borders and bleed into New York, your refusal to reverse course has created an unsustainable environment that has taken a financial and humanitarian toll on the state."
The lawmakers further urged Governor Hochul to take measures to secure the Northern Border and support Governor Abbott's efforts to secure the Southern Border. They argued that with President Joe Biden and Alejandro Mayorkas failing to act, it is high time for the governors to take decisive action to protect their citizens and the country.
Stefanik and her allies cited the US Border Patrol's 91,640 migrant encounters last year along the New York-Canada border, including the arrest of an Iranian national with unspecified "ties to terrorism" attempting to illegally enter the US near Niagara Falls. They also highlighted the $2 billion New York City has already spent on housing and caring for the record number of migrants that have overwhelmed the city under the Biden administration.
Earlier this week, Governor Hochul and eight other Democratic governors called for federal action on immigration, describing the influx of migrants from the southern border as a "humanitarian crisis." On Tuesday, Hochul unveiled a record-breaking $233 billion state budget for fiscal year 2025, which includes $2.4 billion for New York City's migrant crisis.
Meanwhile, in Texas, Governor Abbott has invoked what he asserts is the Lone Star State's "constitutional right to protect and defend our southern border." His strategy includes installing razor wire and floating barriers along the illegal entry point hotspots, signing legislation that allows state authorities to arrest and jail illegal border-crossers, and bussing tens of thousands of asylum seekers to so-called "sanctuary cities."
The Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that federal authorities have the right to cut through Abbott's razor wire fencing. Despite this, the governor has defiantly vowed to install more, prompting the statement of support from half of the country's governors, all Republicans.
"Far Left Kathy Hochul has openly admitted that New York taxpayers cannot afford to continue subsidizing the illegal immigrants pouring in through our borders because of Joe Bidens disastrous open border policies," Stefanik told The Post. "She has the opportunity here and now to stand with Governor Greg Abbott as he works tirelessly to secure Texass border and secure our country from this invasion Joe Biden has unforgivably encouraged."
"Kathy Hochul has a duty to every New Yorker to ensure their safety and security and right now she is miserably failing them."
The letter was also signed by Representatives Nick Langworthy, Nicole Malliotakis, Brandon Williams, Claudia Tenney, Nick LaLota, Marc Molinaro, Mike Lawler, and Anthony DEsposito.
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