Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to apply for nearly $10 billion in available federal border security funding, saying the state should not pass up resources that could help law enforcement agencies across New York.
Tenney announced Monday that she has sent a letter to Hochul urging the state to immediately apply for funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s State Border Security Reinforcement Fund. According to Tenney’s office, New York’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services does not intend to apply for the funding.
The program, authorized by Congress and administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is designed to help states strengthen border security and provide equipment and other resources to state and local law enforcement agencies.
Tenney said New York has until July 6 to submit an application. She said the funding could be used to help detect illegal drugs, combat human trafficking, apprehend people who are in the country illegally, and improve public safety along the U.S.-Canada border.
In a statement, Tenney criticized the state’s decision not to pursue the funding.
“Governor Hochul’s refusal to pursue available federal border security funding puts politics ahead of public safety,” Tenney said. “New York shares the longest international border of any state, and the dedicated men and women protecting our northern border deserve every available resource to stop illegal immigration, human trafficking, and the flow of dangerous drugs into our communities.”
Tenney said the funding was secured by congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump and argued there is “no excuse” for the state to decline resources that could assist law enforcement.
Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby also urged the state to seek the funding, noting that Wayne County is one of 12 New York counties bordering Canada.
Milby said local law enforcement agencies regularly deal with the consequences of cross-border criminal activity, including drug smuggling, weapons trafficking, and human trafficking.
“This funding would allow our offices to receive the training and equipment that we need to enforce the issues that are occurring at our borders,” Milby said. “In an effort to protect the citizens of our county to the best of our abilities, we need to take advantage of any grant funding that is offered to our communities. Anything less than that would be irresponsible.”
As of Monday, the Hochul administration had not publicly responded to Tenney’s request.
To read the full letter, click here
