Gov. Hochul grilled by lawmakers on illegal immigration, sanctuary cities

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WIVB) -- Governor Kathy Hochul appeared before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Thursday and was pressed on the issues of illegal immigration, deportations, and sanctuary cities in New York.

In her opening statement, Hochul condemned the military use in Los Angeles, a move by the Trump Administration in response to political unrest, protesting the enforcement efforts underway by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"As we speak, the streets of an American City have been militarized over the objections of the governor," Hochul said. "This is nothing short of a flagrant abuse of power, an assault on our American values."

Hochul then went on to say that her administration has a history of cooperating with ICE.

"Since I became governor, we’ve cooperated in handing over more than 1,300 convicted criminals to ICE," Hochul said. "What we don’t do is enforce civil immigration violations - that’s the federal government’s job. New Yorkers need their state troopers seizing guns and drugs, and patrolling highways. States like mine are doing our part, but we can’t be expected to fix this nation’s broken immigration system."

During the course of the hearing, Hochul was pressed by several lawmakers that comprise the committee, including Congresswoman Elise Stefanik who represents New York's 21st congressional district.

Stefanik laid out multiple examples of illegal immigrants committing heinous crimes across the state as a back and forth ensued between her and Hochul who insisted that her administration cooperated in all of those cases.

"We deserve a governor who stands up for law abiding New Yorkers, doesn't put illegals first, but actually puts New Yorkers first," Stefanik said to Hochul.

"Rather than going after the viral moment, I suggest you look at the facts," Hochul said.

"I'm standing up for New Yorkers!" Stefanik said. "Rather than addressing the illegals in New York, you're prioritizing your far-left, sanctuary state policies which you put in place with executive orders."

"We cooperate in all of those cases," Hochul said. "We cooperate with ICE."

Congressman Nick Langworthy got into a heated back and forth with Gov. Hochul over the Green Light Law, which allows New Yorkers over the age of 16 to apply for a license or learner's permit regardless of their immigration status.

"Gov. Hochul, you took an oath to serve the citizens of New York, and you've allowed violent criminals who came here illegally to hide in plain sight and to avoid federal officials because of your support for the Green Light Law," Langworthy said. "This is an abomination. This is not keeping New Yorkers safe."

Congressman Jim Jordan, Republican from Ohio, also questioned Hochul on her statement that her administration has cooperated with federal authorities on the issue. He cited examples of illegal immigrants committing violent crimes, and then being let out before they have a chance to be deported, which Hochul said is not the policy of state prisons.

"That is sanctuary policy in a nutshell," Jordan said. "That is what your state supports and so do these other governors. That is what is so wrong and why the American people hate this concept."

"You're conflating what the state of New York does," Hochul said in response. "I control state police and prisons."

Hochul was joined alongside two other governors for the hearing, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

You can watch the full hearing here.