Rep. Elise Stefanik and Gov. Kathy Hochul went head-to-head during a tense congressional hearing focused on sanctuary state policies and the migrant crisis in New York, with the exchange quickly becoming heated over questions involving violent crimes allegedly committed by illegal immigrants.
Stefanik (R-NY), widely expected to challenge Hochul in the 2026 gubernatorial race, confronted the governor with specific questions about a man from Guatemala, accused of setting a woman on fire aboard a Brooklyn F train last December.
“Do you know who Sebastian Zapeta-Calil is,” Stefanik demanded.
“I’m sure you’ll tell me,” Hochul said. “There’s many cases.”
“These are high-profile cases. New Yorkers know about them and you don’t?” Stefanik snapped back.
The congresswoman followed up by referencing two other serious allegations: Wilson Castillo Diaz, accused of sexually assaulting a 5-year-old child, and Raymond Rojas Basilio, charged with molesting an 11-year-old in Queens. Hochul said she wasn’t familiar with those names either.
Hochul was testifying before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform alongside Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Her testimony was also sharply challenged by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who pressed her on the case of Jesus Romero-Hernandez, a Mexican national who was released by officials in Tompkins County despite a judicial order for his arrest from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“A court order and a detainer for a guy who did the things Mr. Hernandez did and Tompkins County can’t hold him an hour and 18 minutes and you won’t say that’s wrong?” Jordan asked.
“I have said, we cooperate when there’s a criminal case for some of this committed a crime,” Hochul responded.
She went on to assert that her administration has worked with federal immigration authorities to remove more than 1,300 individuals with criminal backgrounds since she took office in 2021.
However, when asked whether Tompkins County erred by failing to detain Romero-Hernandez until federal agents could take custody, Hochul avoided directly answering. Although the man had pleaded guilty to assault, he was released despite a deportation order.
“That was a horrible situation. The person should not have been out there,” Hochul said.
Hochul has supported the continuation of New York’s sanctuary state policy, originally enacted under Governor Andrew Cuomo through executive order. That directive prevents state agencies from asking about an individual’s immigration status unless it relates to a criminal investigation.
Many municipalities, including New York City, have implemented their own stricter sanctuary rules.
During the hearing, Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) blamed New York’s legal landscape for enabling Jose Antonio Ibarra to remain free. Ibarra later killed Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, a year after being released on charges of child endangerment in New York.
Langworthy criticized the state’s Green Light Law, which authorizes undocumented individuals to obtain driver’s licenses and restricts the sharing of DMV data with federal immigration officials. He also pointed to bail reform laws that prevent judges from imposing cash bail on many low-level or non-violent offenses.
“Your bail reform law is the reason Laken Riley is dead,” Langworthy declared.
“It’s just, it’s beyond belief. This is denial and excuses, governor,” he added.
GOP lawmakers used the hearing as a platform to denounce Democratic immigration policies broadly.
“Let me be clear, sanctuary policies do not protect Americans, they protect criminal, illegal aliens,” stated Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chair of the House Oversight Committee, during his opening statement.
“Governor Hochul’s sanctuary policies cost taxpayers billions to house, feed, and provide driver’s license for illegal aliens while the cost of rent rises and hospitals are overrun. Her defiance of federal law invites crime to plague communities across the state,” Comer continued.
Throughout her testimony, Hochul attempted to walk a fine line, insisting that the state cooperates with ICE when appropriate, while also condemning federal immigration sweeps and recent law enforcement actions in Los Angeles.
“My views on immigration are simple and direct, our nation needs secure borders, our nation needs comprehensive immigration reform from this body, and our state laws dictate that we cooperate with ICE and criminal cases,” Hochul said.
City Hall shared updated data during the hearing, showing that the number of migrants currently under the city’s care is approximately 37,600 — down significantly from the peak levels seen earlier in the crisis.
To address the influx, the state has committed $4.3 billion toward emergency housing, healthcare, and additional services, while New York City has already spent $6.8 billion.
{Matzav.com}
Wow. This Elise Stefanik is one tough lady. The privileged white Karen, with too much makeup on, was like, hamina hamina hamina. She was clueless. She didn’t know/recall a single one of these well known horrific crimes committed by illegal alien murderers.