ALBANY, NY – FWD.us New York State Immigration Director Eddie A. Taveras issued the following statement in response to New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2022 State of the State Address:

“In the short time since Governor Hochul assumed office, she has already grown in how she sees and understands the importance of immigrants to our state. I was encouraged to see her commitment to adopting some meaningful immigration policy priorities in her first State of the State address. Now, she must turn those words into action – especially as New York immigrants continue to demonstrate bravery and commitment to their communities despite being disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. They need and deserve an ally as their head of state.

“Though she has made progress, Governor Hochul’s vision to address inequalities while improving the quality of life and economic prosperity of the immigrant community remains limited. The state has an ethical and moral obligation to do more to provide socioeconomic mobility, protection, and integration of our immigrant neighbors and help them thrive as they pursue their ‘New York dream.’ This includes moving forward the New York for All and Empire State Licensing Acts, and increasing funding for the Liberty Defense Project. The Governor today touched on some of these initiatives, and it’s imperative that her commitment carries over to the executive budget proposal later this month. If she is true to her word, then immigrants will indeed have a true partner in the executive chamber.”