For Immediate Release: 10/17/2023
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL
AUDIO & RUSH TRANSCRIPT: GOVERNOR HOCHUL HOLDS MEDIA AVAILABILITY AHEAD OF TRIP TO ISRAEL
Governor Hochul: “The primary topic as it had been prescheduled was the migrant crisis in New York. And we received some updates from the White House ... They anticipate that while we are still seeing high numbers of arrivals in New York City, that ultimately, the next couple of weeks, there should be a decline based on the numbers at the border. But I also reiterated our request for additional personnel from the federal government, particularly in New York City.”
Hochul: “It's important to bear witness and hear firsthand from survivors from this barbaric attack from Hamas and try to comfort the families who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. I also want to make sure that my fellow Americans and New Yorkers understand the true nature of this attack on Israel and the threat Israel continues to face.”
Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul held a media availability ahead of her trip to Israel where she plans to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities who have been devastated by the horrific Hamas attacks.
AUDIO of the Governor's remarks is available here.
A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:
Good afternoon, everyone. Before I discuss the solidarity mission to Israel for later this week, I did want to update New Yorkers on what has been a productive day here in our nation's capital. Well, except the fact that we are still without a Speaker of the House of Representatives.
I just was nearby the Capitol and reflected on the fact that this is unprecedented dysfunction, the likes of which our nation has ever seen. In contrast to that lack of leadership, I'm proud that we have President Biden displaying his leadership on the international stage once again to show our support for Israel and humanitarian relief efforts.
So, I want to briefly talk about my meeting at the White House today with the Chief of Staff, Jeff Zients, Senior Advisor, Tom Perez in the West Wing of the White House. The primary topic as it had been prescheduled was the migrant crisis in New York. And we received some updates from the White House. They are announcing that as a result of their repatriation flights back to Venezuela, there have been a decline in the number of Venezuelans crossing the southern border. They have been replaced by a larger number of Ecuadorians, but they anticipate that while we are still seeing high numbers of arrivals in New York City, that ultimately, the next couple of weeks, there should be a decline based on the numbers at the border.
But I also reiterated our request for additional personnel from the federal government, particularly in New York City, as we had what I had asked for, which was the month of action where they sent a surge of federal workers to help us with the asylum processing and the work authorization approvals. We told them we needed more additional federal funding and support the request of the President for an additional $4 billion. We hope that Congress, once they have leadership in the house again, that they'll be able to take this action up as they're planning to bundle this with support for Israel, Ukraine, as well as this humanitarian relief and money for the borders to enhance security.
We want more than just border security. We want to continue to have resources for states like New York that are bearing the brunt and have additional expenses, which are, as I mentioned the word unprecedented, we are still dealing with an enormous cost imposed on the City of New York and the State of New York.
Also, we had a chance to talk about President Biden's upcoming trip to Israel. We shared our collective vision to support these diplomatic efforts include standing in solidarity with Israel and ensuring they have the resources to protect their citizens, but also doing so in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and allows the civilians in Gaza to get humanitarian assistance they need as long as we are certainly not benefiting the Hamas terrorists and continue to call out the terrorists at every possible means and any way possible.
We also wanted to acknowledge the fact that this is important because as we're speaking, the numbers of casualties reported following an explosion at a hospital in Gaza are just being revealed. And we want to make sure that we acknowledge Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas. We also must make sure that civilians get humanitarian aid and lament the loss of any life of innocent civilians. That's the same message of solidarity I delivered to federal leaders today with a bipartisan letter from 17 governors as well. And that is the message I'll be delivering as I travel abroad later tonight – show solidarity with the people of Israel, offer resources, as well as directly hear from New Yorkers who've been impacted by the crisis, as well as their families, whether it's lives lost or families that are still awaiting the news of their loved one who may be a hostage.
It's important to bear witness and hear firsthand from survivors from this barbaric attack from Hamas and try to comfort the families who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. I also want to make sure that my fellow Americans and New Yorkers understand the true nature of this attack on Israel and the threat Israel continues to face.
So, because of security concerns, I will not be able to divulge at this moment our itinerary or who exactly we are meeting with. But we will give real time updates as soon as our press team is able to while respecting security concerns. With that, Avi will begin Q&A.
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