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Stefanik Torches Hochul Over New York's Sanctuary Policies in Fiery Exchange

Leah Barkoukis
Leah Barkoukis  |  June 13, 2025 8:00 AM

The Democratic governors of three sanctuary states appeared before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Thursday, where Republican lawmakers pressed New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz about how their policies undermine federal immigration enforcement. 

In one part of the contentious hearing, Hochul accused Rep. Elise Stefanik of seeking a “viral moment” when the New York Republican pressed the governor on an executive order she has extended three times that bars state officers or employees from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. 

Stefanik went on to list a number of high profile criminal aliens that terrorized New York residents because of New York’s sanctuary policies—a point Hochul disputed. 

“I'm telling you this, we do cooperate fully with ICE in criminal projects,” she claimed. 

Congresswoman Stefanik: You're not advocating for these victims, this is a five-year-old who was raped on Long Island in Nassau County. You are not advocating on behalf of these victims. You are shielding illegals, even in your opening statement your prioritizing putting illegals first. Rape of young girls, beatings of NYPD cops by illegals who are here under Kathy Hochul's failed policies, burning New Yorkers alive. This is Kathy Hochul's New York. It's one of many, the many reasons why you're hemorrhaging support from hard working -.

Gov. Hochul: These are horrific crimes and -.

Congresswoman Stefanik: They're horrific crimes that are committed on your watch. You signed this executive order on your first day in office. You signed it again and again this January. We deserve a governor who stands up for law-abiding New Yorkers, doesn't put illegals first, but puts New Yorkers first. I appreciate -.

Gov. Hochul: Rather than going after the viral moment, I suggest you -.

Congresswoman Stefanik: No, no, I'm standing up for New Yorkers. Rather than addressing the illegals in New York, you are prioritizing your Far Left sanctuary state policies, which you put in place with executive orders, instead of advocating for victims - a five-year-old who was raped - No amount of words is going to clean up your failed record, and these horrific crimes committed in a sanctuary state that you created. And with that, I yield back.