States of emergency have been issued in Rockland, Orange and Broome counties to temporarily stop migrants from relocating to the Hudson Valley. New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced plans to bus migrants to several communities in upstate New York due to the lack of space in the city’s shelter system. 

More than 60,000 migrants have been bussed or flown to New York City from the southern border over the past year, according to the mayor’s office. About 300 migrants are being bussed to the Hudson Valley.

Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-19) spent 11 years as the Dutchess County executive, so he’s familiar with the issues facing upstate counties that are being asked to receive new immigrants. He spoke with Capital Tonight’s Susan Arbetter.

“The concern is a lack of coordination. A lack of transparency. A lack of infrastructure and support that exists in upstate counties,” said Molinaro. 

He also stated that the mayor of the City of New York has no authority to override state and local regulations and to “impose” on counties the responsibility of caring for migrants. 

“It’s not humane or compassionate,” he said. “It just isn’t.”

New York City is a ‘sanctuary city,’ which welcomes migrants; Molinaro made the point that upstate counties haven’t opened their doors in the same way. 

“The right approach is for the city and the state to confront that challenge in the city,” he said.