(The Center Square) – Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was grilled Thursday morning by members of a Republican-led congressional committee investigating “sanctuary” policies.
Hochul and two other Democratic governors, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Tim Walz of Minnesota, faced tough questions from the Oversight Committee in the House of Representatives about their states’ policies that generally limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Hochul defended state and local restrictions Republican lawmakers said are endangering New Yorkers by preventing local authorities from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. She said the state is working with federal immigration authorities to apprehend dangerous criminals.
“In New York, we understand the difference between going after criminals and traumatizing law-abiding families,” Hochul said in her opening remarks. “Now some will use this hearing to stoke fear but I’m here to give you the facts. New York has managed an unprecedented influx of migrants because of a broken border. And yet at the same time our state has become stronger and safer.”
Hochul and other governors defended their actions on immigration enforcement during the hearing. Republicans on the committee accused them of contributing to crime by defying the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican said to be considering a run for govenor, peppered Hochul with questions about the victims in crimes where people illegally in the country are accused of rape and murder. She blamed the crimes on the governor’s support for sanctuary policies.
“You are not advocating on behalf of the victims,” Stefanik said in a testy exchange. “You are shielding illegals, and prioritizing putting illegals first.”
House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., blasted Hochul and other other governors for allowing “criminal illegal aliens to roam free in American communities” while saddling taxpayers with the costs of providing free housing, food and health care to people who are living in the U.S. illegally.
“Let me be clear, sanctuary policies don’t protect Americans, they protect criminal illegal aliens,” Comer said in opening remarks, displaying photos of people charged with crimes who have been arrested by ICE agents. “Unfortunately, there are many instances where criminal illegal aliens have harmed Americans.”
The contentious hearing comes as protests over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies have escalated in the past week, including in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City, where police arrested more than 80 people in one night earlier this week. Trump has deployed National Guard troops, and a contingent of U.S. Marines, to Southern California.
Democrats on the committee criticized Republicans for targeting the state leaders over local policies and compared ICE’s enforcement actions to the “gestapo” in Nazi Germany.
Ahead of Thursday’s hearing, Hochul released a “memo” touting her administration’s policies that she claimed are protecting New Yorkers and reducing crime. The memo said claims by members of the committee that New York is a sanctuary state are “false” and criticized some of the panel’s members for making “wild accusations, twisted characterizations and flat-out falsehoods.”
“Her position is clear: she supports strong, secure borders and comprehensive immigration reform,” the memo said. “And throughout her time as governor, she has proven we can welcome individuals who wish to work and contribute to New York, while holding anyone who threatens public safety accountable.”
Immigration policies vary by state, but many limit collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while giving aid to people illegally in the country. To enter America from another country, if not a U.S. citizen, a visa or some other travel authorization is required to be presented at a port of entry.
