The governor of New York asked US President Joe Biden this Thursday for the federal government to “comply with its obligation” and provide “urgent” help to deal with the immigration crisis that has affected that state in recent months.
In a letter sent to the White House, Kathy Hochul demanded expedited work permits for asylum seekers, increased financial assistance and reimbursement for certain expenses, as well as shelter spaces for migrants.
More than 100,000 immigrants have arrived in New York in the past year and a half, and Hochul has been criticized for her apparent lack of initiative in responding to the immigration crisis, but the governor has now raised his tone toward the federal government.
The official suggested executive actions, such as granting temporary protection status (TPS) specifically to applicants from Venezuela and authorizations for humanitarian reasons to immigrants from other countries.
The governor thanked, on the other hand, the 145 million dollars (more than 134 million euros) received from federal funds.
But he stressed that the sum does not cover the high costs involved for the State and the city, which foresee spending of 4,500 million dollars (more than 4,100 million euros) next year and 12,000 million dollars (more than 11,100 million euros), in total, until 2025.
The arrival of immigrants continues at a “high and unstoppable” rate of hundreds and even thousands per week, so “the federal government must work with the city and the state [de Nova Iorque] in managing this humanitarian crisis”, as it is “an urgent need”, appealed Hochul.
“I cannot ask New Yorkers to pay for something that is fundamentally a federal responsibility and I ask the federal government to take swift and meaningful action to meet its obligation to the State of New York,” he said.
The governor’s pressure on Washington comes at a time when her popularity, as well as that of the mayor, Eric Adams, appears to be on the wane due to their responses to the immigration crisis.
Source: TSF
