Gov. Hochul unveils $233B budget proposal, with $2.4B for NYC asylum seeker crisis

ALBANY, New York -- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing allocating $2.4 billion over two years to New York City for the asylum seeker crisis, in addition to the approximately $2 billion the state committed to last year.

Hochul announced the proposal Tuesday morning as part of her $233 billion budget presentation to the state legislature in Albany.

- $1 billion to reimburse migrant-related expenses;

- $500 million to cover state-funded services like national guard presence and healthcare; and

- $400 million to support congregate shelters, like Floyd Bennett Field

The governor said she is "once again" traveling Washington D.C. Friday to press for additional money to care for the asylum seekers arriving in need of housing and other services, and "advocate for effective immigration reform."

Since Day 1, I have said this is ultimately the responsibility of the federal government to address this crisis.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul
"New York continues to carry the burden of sheltering more than 69,000 migrants," said Hochul. "Since Day 1, I have said this is ultimately the responsibility of the federal government to address this crisis. Congress - the House of Representatives in particular - and the White House must remain at the negotiating table until they restore the rule of law at our border, fix our asylum system and provide relief to states like New York, who have been shouldering this burden for far too long."

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Hochul's promise of $2.4 billion to help the city with the migrant crisis could be enough to cancel the proposed 5% budget savings program (PEG) currently scheduled for April and avoid future service cuts.

Adams said 170,000 migrants have come through the city since spring 2022.

"That's over one and a half times the population of Albany," he said.

Last week, Hochul outlined her overall agenda for 2024 in a State of the State address.

The Democrat focused on housing, public safety and education policies ahead of a pivotal election season in a state whose races could determine control of Congress.