Stefanik Slams Hochul Over Illegal Migrant Crime in Heated Congressional Hearing
- Staff Writer
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul during a contentious congressional oversight hearing, accusing her of enabling a surge in violent crimes by undocumented immigrants through the state’s sanctuary city policies.
In the hearing, Stefanik challenged Hochul, stating that her administration’s policies have allowed "crime and drugs to run rampant in New York" by prioritizing sanctuary protections over the protection of Americans.
Stefanik later continued her critique on X, posting:
“The Worst Governor in America, Kathy Hochul, implodes about her record on failing to protect New Yorkers from violent, criminal illegal aliens during today's @GOPoversight committee hearing. She doesn’t even know the criminals, the crimes, or the victims.”
She highlighted several high-profile cases, including the rape of a 5-year-old girl, the death of a woman burned alive on a subway platform, and the molestation of an 11-year-old girl, alleging that New York’s sanctuary laws shielded the perpetrators from deportation. Hochul’s lack of familiarity with these cases during the hearing raised questions about her administration’s oversight of the impacts of sanctuary policy.
Adding to the illegal migrant crime is New York’s Green Light Law, officially the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act (H.R. 10393), enacted on June 17, 2019, and effective from December 16, 2019. The law allows all residents aged 16 and older to apply for a standard driver’s license or learner’s permit, regardless of immigration status. Section 2 restricts U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from accessing DMV records without a court order. This hinders federal efforts to detain undocumented individuals, including those with criminal records, allowing some to disappear into communities.
Hochul's sanctuary policies and the Green Light Law shield violent offenders, exacerbating crime while burdening taxpayers with billions in migrant-related costs. The debate has intensified scrutiny of Hochul’s leadership as New York grapples with ineffective immigration policies and public safety.
