Standing with President Joe Biden at the White House, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul supported the announcement of new restrictions on asylum claims at the southern border.
Biden’s executive order, issued after congressional inaction, aims to address the ongoing influx of migrants affecting New York and other cities. The order temporarily halts asylum requests once illegal border crossings exceed 2,500 per day.
“Republicans left me no choice,” Biden stated. “Doing nothing is not an option. We must act consistent with both our law and our values.”
Gov. Hochul praised the decision, saying, “This will stem the flow, because otherwise, there is no end in sight. This gives us the breathing room to manage the people we have.”
Not all reactions were positive. Some progressives, including Rep. Nydia Velazquez, expressed disappointment, calling for comprehensive immigration reform instead. Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican, dismissed the move as “election year politics.”
Hochul countered, blaming Republicans for derailing bipartisan border proposals in the Senate. She emphasized that the new measures are necessary for managing the current situation.
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