New York Governor Kathy Hochul is under growing pressure from lawmakers and local leaders over her administration’s extended use of emergency powers to manage the migrant crisis. Critics say the governor has bypassed normal legislative procedures, awarding hundreds of millions of dollars in no-bid contracts to private firms for migrant shelters and services—raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
The emergency order, which was first issued in May 2023 and has been repeatedly renewed, allows the state to fast-track spending and override zoning laws in order to build temporary housing for asylum seekers. While Hochul argues these powers are essential to swiftly respond to an ongoing humanitarian issue, members of both parties in the state legislature are calling for more oversight. Some Democrats have voiced discomfort with the scale and cost of the spending, while Republicans accuse the administration of mismanagement and lack of fiscal control.
The situation has intensified as migrants continue to arrive in large numbers, mostly sent from southern border states. New York City, already stretched thin, has leaned heavily on state assistance to house and care for the influx. Hochul recently defended her actions, stating that delays in the federal response have left New York with no choice but to act decisively. However, watchdog groups and budget hawks warn that the prolonged use of emergency powers sets a dangerous precedent and limits democratic checks and balances.
The controversy is expected to take center stage in the upcoming legislative session, with lawmakers pushing for hearings and potentially new legislation to restrict or clarify the use of emergency authority in long-term crises.