Statement from Senator George Borrello Regarding Gov. Hochul’s Plan to House Undocumented Migrants at SUNY Campuses

“I sent a letter to Gov. Hochul today opposing her plan to house undocumented immigrants at SUNY Fredonia in Chautauqua County and SUNY campuses around the state. This is a reckless idea born out of desperation caused by a self-created crisis of the Governor’s own making. Words have consequences. If you are going to tout New York as a ‘sanctuary state’ and safe-haven for undocumented, un-vetted economic migrants don’t be surprised or confused when they show up on your doorstep.

“I don’t believe her when the Governor says housing migrants at SUNY campuses is a temporary solution. Migrants processed into the U.S. as asylum seekers earlier this week were given immigration court dates more than a decade away. Once these migrants are brought to SUNY campuses, neither the Governor or anyone else knows how long they will be there.

“Upstate communities that have never declared themselves as sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants should not be forced to accept these migrants. It is going to take enormous resources to care for these migrants, resources our rural communities do not have. These are not ‘sanctuary communities’ and they had no part in creating this crisis. They shouldn’t be punished now for Albany and Washington’s lack of foresight and planning.”

“Due to the Biden Administration’s unwillingness to control the border, these migrants are not properly vetted or investigated. Essentially, we don’t know who they are. Because of that they pose a significant risk to public safety.”

“This immigration crisis has been in the making since the majority adopted New York’s 2020 Green Light Law granting non-citizen, undocumented migrants the ability to get a driver's license. The Green Light Law bars federal authorities from accessing New York’s motor vehicle database to enforce U.S. immigration policies and laws. Along with the 2017 Executive Order signed by former Governor Cuomo barring law enforcement or state agencies from inquiring about a person’s immigration status, state officials have made New York the perfect place for undocumented immigrants to settle and avoid deportation.”

“This crisis is not only an economic strain to our state, it’s also dangerous for these migrants and their families.”

“To end this crisis, New York City needs to rescind its sanctuary city status and President Biden needs to implement commonsense and compassionate border security and immigration reforms to secure our border and protect both U.S. citizens and immigrants.”

The letter Senator Borrello sent to Governor Hochul is attached.

###