New York Governor Extends State of Emergency For Asylum Seekers

NEW YORK, New York – New York Governor Kathy Hochul has extended an executive order that provides the state with greater flexibility to procure the resources necessary for municipalities to support asylum seekers and provide them with humanitarian aid.

“New York State continues to deploy significant resources to support the city’s efforts to shelter asylum seekers who have arrived here in search of a better life.

“This executive order allows us to continue this robust response to this unprecedented crisis as we work to provide shelter and humanitarian aid to these individuals,” said Hochul, adding that the order is necessary for New York State’s continued response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis and provides the State with the ability for a more robust response.

Earlier, Hochul announced a US$20 million investment to help expedite the casework filing process for more than 30,000 asylum seekers.

This investment builds on the US$1.5 billion the state already committed to support New York City by providing funding for health care, shelter costs, National Guard personnel, legal services, and voluntary relocation programs.

The state has also loaned New York City sites to use as temporary shelters which currently house more than 2,000 asylum seekers every day.

Additionally, Hochul announced a program that will greatly expand the state’s ability to help asylum seekers quickly gain lawful employment.

She directed the New York State Department of Labour (DOL) to help connect asylum seekers to employment opportunities so they can begin working immediately after obtaining federal work authorization.

In addition, the DOL launched a portal enabling businesses to inform the State that they would welcome newly-authorized individuals into their workforce.

Late last week, Hochul called on United States President Joe Biden to take executive action and direct additional federal resources to the State of New York as it manages the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers arriving in New York.