Governor Hochul is hoping to expedite work authorization for asylum seekers.
At a Monday press conference, she said her administration is requesting the federal government to shorten the 180 day waiting period for asylum seekers to seek employment.
“More than anything,” Hochul said during the conference, “we need changes to the work authorization policies that will let these individuals not have to wait months and possibly years for that legal status, but let’s get it in on an expedited basis.”
Hochul hopes quickening the process by which asylum seekers can apply for jobs will help fill open job positions across the state while alleviating the costs associating with housing and caring for them.
“So, when you think about what we have open right now, I know upstate, I know exactly where it starts too – there are over 5,000 farm jobs, 5,000 farm jobs open as we speak. The cows don’t wait to be milked, the plants need to be maintained and harvested in a few months, the crops. We have more than 5,000 food service jobs right now.”
You can view her full press conference below.
New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher issued the following statement on Governor Hochul’s Work Visa request:
“New York Farm Bureau has long been calling for immigration reform to address serious labor issues that place our food system in jeopardy. A lack of a strong border policy has led us to today. We support Gov. Hochul’s request to the federal government to expedite work visas for migrants who have been properly processed and who want to work on farms in New York State. There are good opportunities to be a part of our valuable food system, and we will continue to work with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets along with Cornell’s Agricultural Workforce Development program to find a pathway forward. However, this action would just be a temporary band aid for a greater problem that must be solved in Washington, D.C.”
