Cayuga County Remains in State of Emergency over Asylum Seeker Crisis

On the same day that Governor Kathy Hochul announced additional members of the New York National Guard would head to New York City to help with the asylum seeker crisis, Cayuga County Legislature Chair David Gould has issued a state of emergency declaration for the county.

The Monday declaration, much like the May 19 declaration, cites attempts by New York City, to transport asylum seekers to upstate communities as the reason for its necessity.

The order goes on to claim that the county has received conflicting reports as to whether or not those being transported out of the city have been adequately screened for healthcare needs.

Along with the emergency declaration, Gould also created another emergency order preventing entities in Cayuga County from helping asylum seekers.

Much like previous orders, this one bars entities from contracting with any municipality other than the county to provide shelter, food, transportation, or medical care to asylum seekers. Violating the order can result in a fine of two thousand dollars per migrant per day of being in violation.