The $229 billion state budget finalized last week could have done more to address the needs of immigrants living in the state, according to New York Immigration Coalition Executive Director Murad Awawdeh. 

The budget did not provide enough of a boost in legal assistance for immigrant communities, while a proposal to allow undocumented adults living in New York the ability to access the Essential Plan for health insurance faltered in the final days of the negotiations. 

In an interview with Capital Tonight, Awawdeh said advocates will continue to push for those measures. He also addressed New York City Mayor Eric Adams' plan to send migrants living in the city to Rockland and Orange counties amid an influx of people seeking asylum.