Kathy Hochul on Immigration

Opposes open borders; supports deporting criminals

[VIDEO] Vice President J.D. Vance: They welcome illegal aliens in their state, actually asking the taxpayers of states like Ohio to subsidize them. And then those same taxpayers in Ohio and elsewhere, they have fewer congressional representatives. The only real way to fight back against it is for us to redistrict.

Governor Kathy Hochul [D,NY]: Boy, they're really stretching hard to justify this power grab [of mid-decade congressional redistricting]? We don't support open borders, number one. We will help ICE remove the criminals -- the worst of the worst. So why is it the people who are walking into federal courthouses, with a ticket that says, "show up here for your next appointment," and they're being captured as if they're hardened criminals. Give me a break. Stop finding all these other excuses.

Regulate for-profit bond companies focusing on immigrants

North Star Fund (in favor, Apr 12, 2023): We join in celebrating the Break the Shackles coalition's 2022 victory! The coalition and its allies advocated for and secured passage of the Stop Immigration Bond Abuse Act (SIMBAA) to protect immigrants formerly detained in New York from exploitative for-profit bond companies.

Legislative outcome Passed Senate 48-15-2 on Jun/1/22; Passed Assembly 99-45-6 on Jun/4/22; Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on Dec/9/22.

Once opposed driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants

2007: No drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants

Teachout said that in a state that typically focuses on "honoring the dignity of all immigrants" she is "disappointed" in Hochul. She described Hochul as someone "who has not traditionally been a friend of immigrant communities."

Submit temporary guest worker applications online

As our farmers bring their goods to market in the 21st century economy, they expect to have a 21st century government that will help, not hinder, their business. That's why I call on the Secretary of Labor to allow farmers to submit their H-2A applications for temporary guest workers online.

N.Y. farmers are increasingly relying on this program for the legal labor they need to plant and harvest their crops. This summer, I was absolutely shocked to learn that one of my onion farms in Genesee County had to mail almost 20 pounds of paperwork to the Federal Government in order to participate in this program. There must be a better way. An online application program would save money for our farmers and our taxpayers.