Griffo, Senate Republican Conference demands transparency on migrant crisis

ALBANY – New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, and members of the Senate Republican conference today blasted the lack of leadership and transparency from state officials that has left New York communities in crisis dealing with an influx of migrants following the expiration of the Title 42 Order by the Biden Administration. 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who indicated the City is struggling to keep up with the incoming flow of migrants, announced he would begin bussing migrants to Rockland and Orange Counties, despite the counties not being properly equipped with resources to handle it. 

The Senators wrote a letter to the Governor in the wake of her Executive Order last week that declared a State of Emergency due to the expected surge of migrants into New York State following the expiration of the Title 42 Order by the Biden Administration.

In the letter, the Senators ask for greater transparency as to where migrants will be housed, where monies are being spent, and better communication between the administration and local municipalities where migrants might be relocated.

“With that, local elected officials should have the option to decline hosting migrants in their communities should they not have the necessary accommodations and other resources. This local option is imperative to ensuring local municipalities are held harmless and are adequately prepared,” the Senators wrote.

In addition, the conference has introduced two pieces of legislation to help alleviate the ongoing crisis and prevent similar chaos in the future. One bill (S.6995) would clarify that a local state of emergency supersedes a state of emergency issued by the Governor when the two are in conflict. This would restore local control and allow municipalities to make decisions in the best interests of their communities. 

The other legislation (S.7009) would protect vulnerable populations – including veterans, victims of domestic violence, and the disabled – by prohibiting them from being ejected from a hotel, motel or shelter in order to make room for migrants. 

A copy of the letter to the Governor, signed by every member of the Senate Republican Conference, is attached. 

###