Governor Kathy Hochul delivers strong defense of New York’s immigration policies during testimony before House Oversight Committee

New York – In a pointed and passionate address before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, New York Governor Kathy Hochul made a firm stand in defense of her state’s immigration policies while calling out what she described as federal overreach and political posturing.

Governor Hochul’s testimony came amid growing tensions between state leaders and federal immigration authorities, a rift that has deepened in recent years as states like New York have sought to balance law enforcement with compassion for immigrant families.

“Chairman Comer, Ranking Member Lynch, and Members of the Committee, as we speak the streets of an American City have been militarized over the objections of the Governor,” Hochul stated at the start of her remarks. “This is nothing short of a flagrant abuse of power, an assault on our American values.”

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Her opening statement set the tone for a wide-ranging critique of federal immigration tactics, including aggressive raids and family separations, which she said go against both American principles and common decency. Citing a troubling example from her own state, Hochul described an incident in Sackets Harbor, a small community in Jefferson County, where heavily armed federal agents reportedly conducted a pre-dawn raid that led to the detention of a mother and her three children — including a third grader.

“They were cast into a living hell in a detention facility in Texas,” Hochul said. “I immediately contacted Border Czar Tom Homan and demanded their release.”

This case, she explained, galvanized support from across the political spectrum in the region — even in an area where a majority of voters supported former President Donald Trump. Community members, local officials, and business leaders came together to call for the family’s release, which was eventually granted after nearly two weeks in federal custody.

“In New York, we understand the difference between going after criminals and traumatizing law-abiding families,” the governor told lawmakers.

Throughout her testimony, Hochul walked a careful line between advocating for compassion and emphasizing her administration’s commitment to public safety. She made clear that New York does not turn a blind eye to serious crimes, stressing the importance of secure borders and adherence to the law. But she drew a sharp distinction between criminal activity and civil immigration matters.

“Our state laws dictate that we cooperate with ICE in criminal cases,” she noted. “And our values dictate that we treat all law-abiding families with dignity and respect.”

Since taking office, Hochul said her administration has transferred over 1,300 convicted criminals to ICE custody. However, she emphasized that New York State law enforcement does not participate in civil immigration enforcement — a responsibility she insists must remain under the purview of federal authorities.

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“New Yorkers need their State Troopers seizing guns and drugs and patrolling highways,” she said. “States like mine are doing our part but we can’t be expected to fix this nation’s broken immigration system.”

The governor pointed to New York’s strong public safety record as proof that her approach works. Despite taking in tens of thousands of migrants amid national gridlock on immigration, the state now boasts the lowest homicide rate among the ten largest states. This progress, she said, has come from targeted investments in public safety — not from fear-driven crackdowns.

“We’ve achieved this not with indiscriminate roundups, not by tearing apart innocent families, but by investing over $2.6 billion in public safety,” Hochul said. “By engaging in smart, targeted policing and by partnering with federal agencies to apprehend and deport serious criminals.”

Hochul’s remarks came at a time when immigration has once again become a hot-button issue in national politics. Congressional efforts at immigration reform have repeatedly stalled, even as leaders from both parties acknowledge the urgent need for a comprehensive solution.

“The very people who go on cable news to rail about ‘chaos at the border’ are the ones who torpedo bipartisan immigration reform each and every time it’s within reach,” she stated.

In a direct challenge to lawmakers, Hochul called on members of the committee to rise above partisan squabbles and deliver meaningful immigration legislation. Her message was both a plea and a provocation.

“So here’s my message: If you truly care about public safety — if you truly care about the economy — if you truly care about human dignity then sit down, negotiate and deliver real reform,” she urged. “Secure the border. Revive legal pathways. Let people work.”

As she concluded her appearance before the committee, Governor Hochul returned to the priorities of her office and the responsibilities she says every elected official shares — keeping communities safe and respecting the foundational principles of the country.

“At the end of today, I’ll go home and do my job of keeping New Yorkers safe,” she said. “I hope you’ll do yours too.”

Governor Hochul’s testimony underscored a broader theme increasingly heard in debates about immigration policy: that values and enforcement do not have to be mutually exclusive. For her, the future of American immigration policy hinges not only on border security, but on compassion, fairness, and the courage to enact long-overdue reforms.