Congressman Nick Langworthy and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney have sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul demanding answers regarding her administration’s Migrant Relocation Assistance Program (MRAP) following reports of individuals with unproven asylum claims being transferred to Erie and Monroe Counties.
“Instead of reversing these disastrous policies, your administration has chosen to export the crisis in New York City to Upstate communities, such as those in Erie County and Monroe County. Law-abiding New Yorkers should not have their safety placed in jeopardy because of radical policies allowing unvetted individuals to cross our borders at will. While many of these individuals are allowed to stay here as “asylum seekers,” the facts show that the overwhelming majority of asylum claims are found to be illegitimate when adjudicated,” part of the letter reads.
The members continue, “We continue to urge you to reverse the disastrous immigration policies that have been implemented by your administration and the New York State Legislature.”
Concluding the letter, Reps. Langworthy and Tenney posed the following questions to Governor Hochul:
- How many individuals have been relocated to Erie County or Monroe County under MRAP
- How much have the relocations to Erie County and Monroe County cost taxpayers?
- How is your administration vetting the individuals selected to participate in MRAP? Is part of this vetting an evaluation of the legitimacy of their asylum claims or a criminal background check?
- How is your administration ensuring the safety of American citizens in Erie County, Monroe County, and the surrounding counties with the influx of these individuals with unproven asylum claims?
- How is your administration ensuring that these individuals show up to their court dates and do not evade the law?
