Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) on Thursday grilled New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul during a hearing on sanctuary states over crimes committed by illegal aliens.
Stefanik, who is rumored to be eyeing a run for governor, first highlighted executive orders signed by Hochul that maintain New York as a sanctuary state, meaning the state will not cooperate with federal authorities on illegal immigration. Then, the Republican listed a series of heinous crimes committed by illegals, including the violent sexual assault of minors and one illegal immigrant burning a sleeping woman alive on the subway.
“Governor Hochul, on your first day in office, you signed Executive Order 1,” Stefanik said. “And you extended this executive order not once, not twice, but three times — most recently January 16 of this year.”
The order, Stefanik read, was a continuation of sanctuary state policies. “It is the policy of the state that state officers or employees shall not disclose information to federal immigration authorities for the purpose of federal civil immigration enforcement,” she read. “It goes on to say, ‘Law enforcement officers may not use resources, equipment, or personnel for the purpose of detecting and apprehending any individual suspected or wanted for violating a civil immigration officer. Law enforcement officers have no authority in the state of New York to take any policy action solely because the person is an undocumented alien.”
Hochul attempted to contend that the order actually says New York will cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
“No, it does not say that,” Stefanik shot back. “I read what it says, and let me talk to you about the results.” One illegal immigrant, she said, “found a 15-year-old girl, threatened her with a metal pole, told her to get into the back seat of his car. He took her clothes off, and he violently raped her in Albany, New York.”
In another example, the governor said she was unfamiliar with the illegal immigrant Stefanik was talking about. “I bet you’re going to be familiar when I remind you,” Stefanik told Hochul. “He found a sleeping woman on the subway, lit her on fire, and burned her alive.”
“This is in Kathy Hochul’s New York,” the representative said. “And as I’m sure you are aware, and I’ll remind you: [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] issued an order to detain this violent criminal, but that was rejected by New York officials due to sanctuary state laws.”
Hochul responded by calling the crimes “horrific” and contending New York works with ICE.
“You did not in this case,” Stefanik responded. “They are walking on the streets because of your policies and your executive order that you signed three times.”
Stefanik then outlined sexual assaults against minors, ages 11 and five. “You’re not advocating for these victims,” she said. “This is a five-year-old who was raped on Long Island in Nassau County.”
“You are not advocating on behalf of these victims,” Stefanik repeated. “You are shielding illegals. Even in your opening statement, you prioritize putting illegals first.”
“Rapes of young girls, beatings of NYPD cops by illegals who are here under Kathy Hochul’s failed policies, burning New Yorkers alive,” Stefanik added. “This is Kathy Hochul’s New York.”
WATCH:
Complete exchange between @RepStefanik and @GovKathyHochul at Sanctuary State Policies hearing.
Gov. Hochul: “These crimes are horrific, I condemn them.”
Rep. Stefanik: “Because of your sanctuary state policies!” pic.twitter.com/yxbfZY5Bww
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 12, 2025