WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Gov. Kathy Hochul met with White House leaders Wednesday to discuss how the federal government could help with New York State's migrant situation.
It was the first in-person and migrant-focused meeting for Hochul with the President's Chief of Staff Jeff Zients in Washington D.C. The meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. was closed to the press.
Before the meeting, it remained unclear if any new commitments from the federal government would be made.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about the meeting during her daily press briefing but said she would not speculate what would happen.
Jean-Pierre did tell reporters that migrant arrivals and work authorization would be discussed. She also recapped how efforts are underway to find additional housing for migrants at federal sites like Floyd Bennett Field, an airfield in Brooklyn that federal officials visited earlier this week.
Governor Hochul has insisted on numerous occasions that speeding up work authorization for migrants, which typically takes 160 days, could be the solution to the current housing crisis.
It was just last week that Governor Hochul made another plea for federal help after sending a letter to President Biden. White House aides have previously met with the New York City Mayor's Office in NYC.
"When it comes to the work authorization look this administration has led the largest expansion in terms of pathways, lawful pathways in decades and we're committed to providing a humane safe, and orderly immigration system," Jean-Pierre said.
As of 6:30 p.m. details from the meeting have not been shared by the White House. Jean-Pierre said a read-out of the meeting would be provided, however.
Governor's Office issued a statement late Wednesday night, saying:
“Earlier today I met, for more than two hours, with senior members of the Biden Administration in the West Wing of the White House for a frank and productive conversation about how the federal government can, and must, provide additional support to the people of New York as we work to address the ongoing influx of asylum seekers and migrants. We focused on a number of immediate and tangible actions, including several that would allow more individuals to work legally in the United States, as well as long-term actions to end this crisis.
“As New Yorkers know, securing expedited work authorization for asylum seekers and migrants has been and remains my top priority. It is the only way to help asylum seekers become self-sustaining, so they can move into permanent housing. I am especially pleased that the federal government has agreed to provide personnel, data, and resources to identify the thousands of individuals in New York who are already eligible, but have not yet applied, for work authorization.
“This is a critical first step but make no mistake: it is not enough to fully address this crisis or provide the level of support that New Yorkers need and deserve. That is why in the days ahead I will continue working to secure expedited work authorization for even more individuals, expanded financial support for New York, and long-overdue immigration reforms. I am grateful to the White House for agreeing to continue these productive discussions and strengthening the partnership at all levels of government to respond to this crisis.”