NEW YORK, NY – New York Governor Kathy Hochul is singing a different song than the one she proudly belted out in 2021.
In a stark contrast to her previous welcoming stance, New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that the state no longer has the capacity to accommodate additional migrants.
In December 2021, Hochul invited all migrants to come to New York, invoking the Statue of Liberty’s message as a symbol of the state’s sanctuary status.
“As you know, the Statue of Liberty is inscribed. It says, give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to be free,’ Hochul said then. “Our message to the world is send us your people and send us those who need our cloak of comfort You’re welcome with open arms and we’ll work to keep you safe… We’ll not only house you, but we’ll protect you.”
A few days ago, she publicly shifted her position due to the ongoing migrant crisis.
“If you’re going to leave your country, go somewhere else. We have to let the word out that when you come to New York, you’re not going to have more hotel rooms. We don’t have capacity, so we have to also message properly,” Hochul said. She further suggested that the “smarter thing is to apply for asylum before you leave your country.”
The governor’s shift in tone highlights the complex challenges posed by immigration. The issue remains vital to the economy and labor force