Governor Kathy Hochul today extended an Executive Order which provides the State with greater flexibility to procure the resources necessary for municipalities to support asylum seekers and provide them with humanitarian aid. This Executive Order follows Governor Hochul’s public address to New Yorkers on the asylum seeker crisis.

“New York State continues to deploy significant resources to support the City’s efforts to shelter asylum seekers who have arrived here in search of a better life,” Governor Hochul said. “This Executive Order allows us to continue this robust response to this unprecedented crisis as we work to provide shelter and humanitarian aid to these individuals.”

Executive Order 28.4 continues to allow the State and localities to quickly respond to the arrival of asylum seekers. It continues to allow New York State to mobilize members of the National Guard, who currently provide logistical and operational support at shelter sites. It will also allow the State and localities to quickly purchase necessary supplies and resources, including food and equipment. The Executive Order is necessary for New York State’s continued response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis and provides the State with the ability for a more robust response.

Earlier this week, Governor Hochul also announced a $20 million investment to help expedite the casework filing process for more than 30,000 asylum seekers. This investment builds on the $1.5 billion the State already committed to support New York City by providing funding for health care, shelter costs, National Guard personnel, legal services, and voluntary relocation programs. The State has also loaned New York City sites to use as temporary shelters which currently house more than 2,000 asylum seekers every day. The Governor also delivered a public address directly to New Yorkers outlining the State’s path through this unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

Additionally, Governor Hochul announced a program that will greatly expand the State’s ability to help asylum seekers quickly gain lawful employment. Governor Hochul directed the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) to help connect asylum seekers to employment opportunities so they can begin working immediately after obtaining federal work authorization. All asylum seekers with work authorization in New York can now register for assistance here. DOL career experts will work with individuals to assess skills, work history, education, career interests and more, and connect them with employers across the State. Additionally, the New York State Department of Labor launched a portal enabling businesses to inform the State that they would welcome newly-authorized individuals into their workforce.

  asylum, asylum seekers