Facing the Storm
On June 12, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul stepped into a charged hearing before the House Oversight Committee, ready to set the record straight on immigration. She met a wall of accusations, many built on half-truths. Yet her leadership in New York tells a different story, one of robust border security paired with a commitment to welcoming those who strengthen our communities. Why do some twist this into weakness? Politics, not reality, drives their claims.
Hochul's approach blends strength with compassion. She fights for secure borders while ensuring New York remains a place of opportunity. Her testimony cut through the noise, proving you can protect a state without abandoning humanity. The committee, however, seemed more focused on scoring points than finding solutions.
The hearing provided a platform for some to falsely brand New York a lawless sanctuary state, deviating from a genuine search for truth. That narrative collapses under examination. Hochul's record shows a state cracking down on crime and working with federal authorities to remove threats. The facts are clear, and the distortions don't hold up.
No Haven for Criminals
Some label New York a 'sanctuary state,' accusing it of shielding violent offenders. The truth is far different. Since Hochul became governor in 2021, New York's Department of Correction has transferred 1,343 non-citizen inmates to ICE after their sentences. That demonstrates active cooperation. State officials partner with federal agencies during criminal investigations or after convictions, ensuring dangerous individuals face justice.
Consider Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a Pakistani national planning an ISIS-inspired attack in New York City. State Police, alongside the FBI and Canadian authorities, helped stop him before he reached the U.S. border. This shows the state actively thwarts danger. Why do critics overlook such cases? They don't align with the story they're selling.
Research supports this approach. Data from 55 jurisdictions show areas with sanctuary-like policies have 35.5 fewer crimes per 10,000 residents. The reason is simple. People report crimes when they trust local police won't deport them. Hochul's New York balances enforcement with community trust, exposing the 'sanctuary' myth as pure fearmongering.
Crime Down, Safety Up
Another false claim paints New York as overrun by crime. The reality is striking. New York State has the lowest homicide rate among the nation's 10 most populous states, half the national average. New York City ranks second-lowest in crime among major cities. Since Hochul took office, murders have dropped 41% and shootings have fallen 54% in the first five months of 2025 compared to 2021. These numbers reflect lives preserved, indicating significant progress.
Subway safety, often sensationalized, shows similar gains. Major subway crimes fell 18% in early 2025, with no murders, a milestone not reached since 2018. Hochul's $77 million for overnight NYPD patrols and cameras on every subway car has boosted confidence, as rising ridership proves. Why the relentless alarmism? It's simpler to fuel fear than acknowledge success.
Nationally, perception lags reality. FBI data peg 2023 violent crime at 3.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, yet 77% of Americans believe crime is surging. Hochul's $2.6 billion in gun violence prevention, mental health programs, and policing shows what works. Critics calling her weak on crime are blind to the evidence.
Pushing for Real Reform
Hochul's vision extends beyond enforcement to fixing a broken system. She supported a 2024 bipartisan Senate bill that would have poured $20 billion into border security, hired thousands of asylum officers, and tackled fentanyl trafficking. House Republicans, including Oversight Committee members, rejected it under Trump's influence. Their actions served campaign goals, neglecting the country's best interests.
New York's Canadian border isn't neglected either. Hochul secured $8 million for state police, drones, and license plate readers to combat transnational crime. She's demanded federal action to restore northern border staffing, stepping up where Washington falls short. This demonstrates active leadership.
Hochul calls for secure borders, fair reform, and swift removal of criminals. She criticized a 2025 ICE raid on a Sackets Harbor farm family, noting it fractured communities without enhancing safety. Her stance prioritizes both enforcement and humanity, rejecting a system that punishes workers while political games stall progress.
Building a Safer Future
Under Hochul, New York is safer and stronger. Crime rates are down, borders are fortified, and communities are thriving. Yet challenges remain. False narratives, like the idea that immigrants fuel crime, sow division. Studies show immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens, yet 47% of Americans now back mass deportations, driven by fear rather than factual understanding.
Hochul's $75 million to fight hate crimes and $350 million for gun violence prevention protect all New Yorkers. Her policies prove you can uphold the law without vilifying entire groups. The Oversight Committee may hurl accusations, but New Yorkers see the results, a state tough on crime and smart on immigration.
Can the nation embrace New York's model? Hochul's blueprint, invest in safety, enforce laws, and reform immigration with compassion, points the way. It's time to reject fear and build a future where security and humanity stand together.