NY Governor Kathy Hochul Launches Institute to Support the Needs of Immigrants

NEW YORK, New York – New York Governor Kathy Hochul has launched the Institute for Immigration Integration Research & Policy to help immigrants transition to community life, further education, and the workforce.

Hochul said the Institute, which received funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 State budget, will be housed at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, the State University of New York’s (SUNY) public policy think tank.

The announcement coincides with the selection of an advisory board of community leaders, “who will set in motion ground-breaking policy development, and select an executive director and assistant director in the coming months,” the Governor said.

“New York is built on the hard work and determination of generations of immigrants, and this Institute will work to improve the lives of those who are trying to build better lives for themselves and their families.

“By clearing the boundaries for new New Yorkers, we can help to better integrate them into the New York community and access the New York dream,” she added.

The Governor said on arrival, immigrants often struggle to learn English, help their children to assimilate in school, find safe and affordable housing, secure jobs with a livable wage, secure transportation to commute and access available service.

Hochul said the Institute’s executive director and assistant director will analyze real-time immigration, economic, labor and other data, and identify potential solutions for policymakers to help build on the state’s commitment to supporting immigrants of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds.

The launch of the Institute follows Hochul’s mission to protect immigrants, including those who are undocumented, who were forced to leave their homelands.

In October 2021, the Governor signed legislation classifying certain threats to report a person’s immigration status as extortion or coercion under New York law.

“SUNY campuses comprise one of the world’s most diverse learning opportunities, and welcome students from all walks of life, countries, and backgrounds,” said SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley.

“We are honored to have the Rockefeller Institute of Government house this Institute and facilitate its much-needed work to advance our state’s longstanding commitment to supporting and welcoming immigrants and ensuring their success.

The Governor said the advisory board will also provide the Institute with guidance and recommendations with respect to research, programming, fundraising opportunities and community events.

As New York City anticipates surpassing the highest recorded shelter census in recorded history, New York City Mayor Eric Adams last Friday issued Emergency Executive Order 224, formally directing all relevant city agencies to coordinate their efforts to support hundreds of asylum seekers, arriving in the city each day from Texas and other border states.

Adams also called for emergency federal and state aid to handle the continued influx of asylum seekers, as the city projects costs of more than one billion US dollars related to asylum seekers in this fiscal year alone, as well as expedited work permits, a national decompression strategy and a resettlement strategy.