When Gov. Kathy Hochul sat before the House Oversight Committee in June, she painted a careful picture. She assured lawmakers that New York cooperates with ICE, that there is “no sanctuary for people who commit crimes,” and that her state is cracking down on violent offenders. But just weeks later, her actions tell a very different story — one that exposes the hollowness of her testimony and the double standard driving Democratic sanctuary policies.
Rep. Elise Stefanik could campaign simply on her exchange with Gov. Kathy Hochul if she were to run for governor.
Here’s a clip of her educating Hochul about the crimes committed by illegal immigrants during the House Oversight Committee hearing with sanctuary state governors. pic.twitter.com/ib2hK8Rz1d
— Stephanie Myers (@_StephanieMyers) June 12, 2025
The truth is, Hochul has been using her clemency power not to provide second chances for remorseful offenders, but to shield convicted illegal immigrants from deportation. At least thirteen of them so far. Among the group? A man convicted of manslaughter. Rather than letting the justice system run its course, Hochul intervened to keep these individuals in the country, deliberately removing them from ICE’s radar.
Her justification? “They’ve paid their debt, and I’ll be damned if I let them be deported to a country where they don’t know a soul.” Compassion, she calls it. But what about compassion for the victims? For the families torn apart by violent crime? For the communities forced to live with the consequences of policies that prioritize convicted criminals over law-abiding citizens?
Hochul pardons ex-con migrants — including one who killed man https://t.co/qdIe1DRPUG pic.twitter.com/uKxgwbaJFt
— New York Post (@nypost) August 15, 2025
This isn’t just soft-hearted naiveté — it’s calculated politics. Sanctuary Democrats like Hochul want to appease their activist base, even if it means lying to Congress about their true approach. She assured lawmakers her administration cooperates with ICE, all while working behind the scenes to undermine immigration enforcement. It’s not just hypocrisy; it’s willful deception.
The Department of Homeland Security summed it up plainly: if you are a convicted criminal alien, you should not have the privilege of remaining in this country. Period. That used to be common sense. Yet under Hochul, New York has become a place where ideology trumps public safety, where the state bends over backward to protect offenders while leaving its own citizens more vulnerable.
.@GovKathyHochul, your shameful secret is out.
Rather than putting New Yorkers first, you’re protecting a criminal illegal alien KILLER with a rap sheet including convictions for manslaughter and criminal possession of a firearm.
If you are a convicted criminal alien, you… pic.twitter.com/anXAXECvjg
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 16, 2025
Granting clemency is within her power as governor. But using that power to hide violent offenders from federal authorities is an abuse of office — one that betrays the very oath she swore. Hochul can talk tough in Washington all she wants, but her record in Albany makes it clear: criminals come first, New Yorkers come last.
