Press Releases

Today, in response to the expiration of Title 42 and an anticipated wave of hundreds of thousands of migrants crossing the border, Representatives Mike Lawler, Pat Ryan, and Marc Molinaro called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency for New York in response to the migrant crisis.

“With Title 42 expiring tonight, we are seeing a surge of migrants approaching the border, adding to a crisis that has seen New York City take in over 60,000 migrants so far. Now, Mayor Eric Adams has chosen to begin bussing additional arrivals into the Hudson Valley. This is a completely untenable situation and demands immediate federal action,” said Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17). “The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must step in and declare a federal state of emergency to provide resources aimed at alleviating the impact of this expected surge in the coming days, weeks, and months.”

“I have been calling for additional support for months to prevent us from arriving at this juncture, but my requests were ignored by the Biden administration and FEMA. Now, it is imperative they take action,” concluded Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17).

“The current migrant situation in New York is untenable. From New York City, where they have more than 60,000 asylum seekers, to the Hudson Valley communities who were given no notice and no assistance to house asylum seekers, to the migrants themselves, simply here in search of a better life, this process has been a mess. The federal government must step in and declare a state of emergency for New York,” said Rep. Pat Ryan (NY-18). “This declaration would allow the federal government to identify, mobilize and provide the resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the migrant surge in New York. We will continue to work in close contact with our partners in local and state government to address the situation.”

“New York City is circumventing state, county and local law. Moving migrants to Upstate New York without resources, coordination, or approval from local communities is simply not humane, compassionate or appropriate,” said Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19). “The federal government needs to step in and declare a state of emergency. This cannot continue.”

The New York State of Emergency would authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate efforts and would allow the federal government to identify, mobilize and provide the resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the migrant surge in New York.