ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she would “personally call ICE” to deport criminal immigrants, marking a shift in tone on immigration enforcement as she emphasized the importance of distinguishing between asylum seekers and individuals who commit crimes.
“If someone breaks the law, I’ll be the first one to call up ICE and say, ‘Get them out of here,’” Hochul said during a press conference. She clarified that while she remains supportive of legal immigration and providing resources for asylum seekers, her administration will not tolerate criminal behavior from undocumented individuals.
Hochul’s comments came in response to a question about Nassau County’s refusal to operate as a sanctuary jurisdiction and its pledge to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. She criticized the lack of federal action on immigration reform but underscored the need for state and local governments to maintain public safety.
“Our immigration system is woefully broken,” Hochul said. “Those who come here legally, we want to get them jobs. But there are others who commit crimes, or were known to be criminals before they arrived here. I don’t want them terrorizing my citizens.”
Hochul added that her team is actively preparing for potential federal actions on immigration policy and will be making additional announcements in the coming weeks.
Her remarks highlight a more aggressive stance on deportations, drawing a clear line between aiding law-abiding migrants and addressing public safety concerns.