New York governor deploying more National Guard members to address migrant crisis

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced Monday that the state will deploy an additional 150 National Guard troops to support asylum-seekers who have arrived in New York City. 

There are 1,900 National Guard personnel who are on-site assisting with the city’s influx of migrants. They are spread out across 51 hotels and two relief centers. The additional deployment will reach 2,050 members dedicated to the issue, per Hochul’s office.

“It is critical that we help secure work authorization for asylum seekers and migrants in New York,” Hochul said in a statement. “Our National Guard members play a huge role in assisting in the process and we are grateful for their service.”

The deployment of more National Guard personnel means there will be 250 members dealing with case management, Hochul’s release said. The state has invested $50 million in case management to help migrants file the correct paperwork and earn legal work status to leave taxpayer-funded shelters.

“The members of the New York National Guard and our State Defense Forces look forward to playing a role in the efforts to help asylum seekers link with services they need to be successful, and find opportunities and jobs they need to be self-sufficient,” New York’s National Guard Adjutant General Ray Shields said in a statement. 

In May, Hochul issued an emergency order to help with the expected influx of migrants to the city after the Title 42 immigration policy expired. In August, New York City Mayor Eric Adams called for federal assistance after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) continued to send asylum-seekers via bus. 

The White House announced earlier this month that individuals from Venezuela, the largest demographic of migrants coming to the city, were eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status if they had been in the United States on or before July 31. 

With New York City shelters and hotels becoming swamped with the influx of migrants, Hochul said work authorization for individuals is the best way for them to “begin living independently.”