New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a state of emergency on Tuesday ahead of an expected surge of migrants in the coming days, loosening restrictions to make it simpler for the Empire State to immediately lease space and purchase supplies to lodge the new arrivals.
The move anticipates effects of the impending expiration of Title 42, a COVID-era federal regulation that permits the U.S. government to turn away migrants at the border, including asylum applicants. It is set to expire at midnight on Thursday, May 11.
The order was also issued as political leaders in the city’s northern suburbs continued to express their worries with NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ intentions to move migrants to motels in the Hudson Valley, and as the Rockland and Orange county executives issued separate local emergency declarations in an effort to prevent it from happening.
Hochul’s decree will allow the state to acquire items and lease facilities to address the migrant problem without seeking clearance from the state comptroller or going through normal bidding procedures.
“With Title 42 set to expire, the circumstances on the ground are expected to change significantly and this executive order will be an important part of our coordinated response,” Hochul said in a statement. “I have spoken to Mayor Adams and county executives throughout New York as we work to address this situation.”
According to Mr. Adams’s office, more than 60,000 refugees have entered New York City since last spring, and more than 37,000 of them are presently getting treatment from the city.
