Hochul Fails to Recall Details of High-Profile Immigration Cases in New York

Strategic Insights -

During a House Oversight Committee hearing, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul struggled to recall details of several high-profile cases involving illegal immigrants charged with violent offenses in her home state. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., pressed Hochul on the cases, including those of Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, who was charged with setting a sleeping woman on fire on a New York City subway in December 2024, and Sakir Akkan, an illegal immigrant from Turkey who pleaded guilty to raping a 15-year-old girl in May 2024. Hochul's inability to recall the details of these cases highlights the challenges of enforcing immigration laws in a sanctuary state like New York.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hochul extended an executive order, a continuation of her predecessor's sanctuary state policies, three times, most recently on Jan. 16, 2025, making it difficult for federal immigration authorities to enforce laws in New York.
  • Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was charged with setting a sleeping woman on fire on a New York City subway in December 2024, and Hochul could not recall the details of the case when questioned by Rep. Stefanik.
  • Sakir Akkan, an illegal immigrant from Turkey, pleaded guilty to raping a 15-year-old girl in May 2024, and Hochul failed to remember the specifics of the case, including the crime committed.
  • The governor's inability to recall these cases highlights the challenges of enforcing immigration laws in a sanctuary state like New York, where law enforcement officers are prohibited from disclosing information to federal immigration authorities for the purpose of federal civil immigration enforcement.
  • Rep. Stefanik accused Hochul of shielding illegals and failing to prioritize the safety of New Yorkers, citing the violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in New York.
  • The governor controversy surrounding local officials' statements about the immigration status of Sakir Akkan and the subsequent arrest, highlighting the complexities of immigration policy in New York.
  • Hochul maintained that the state cooperates with federal law enforcement on criminal matters, but Rep. Stefanik disputed this claim, saying the governor's policies put illegals before law-abiding New Yorkers.

Statistics:

  • The executive order, which Hochul extended three times, prohibits state officers or employees from disclosing information to federal immigration authorities for the purpose of federal civil immigration enforcement.
  • The policy states that law enforcement officers "may not use resources, equipment or personnel for the purpose of detecting and apprehending any individual suspected or wanted for violating a civil immigration office."
  • Three high-profile cases involving illegal immigrants, including Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, Sakir Akkan, and Raymond Rojas Basilio, were mentioned during the hearing, highlighting the challenges of enforcing immigration laws in New York.
  • According to Rep. Stefanik, the sanctuary state policies implemented by Hochul have resulted in the "hemorrhaging of support" from hard-working New York families.
  • The governor's failure to recall the details of these cases has sparked controversy, with Rep. Stefanik accusing her of prioritizing the interests of illegals over those of law-abiding New Yorkers.

Sources:

  • "New York Gov. Kathy Hochul can't recall details of multiple violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in her state," Fox News, June 13, 2025
  • "Hochul fails to recall details of high-profile immigration cases," The Hill, June 13, 2025
  • "New York Governor Kathy Hochul Struggles to Recall Details of High-Profile Immigration Cases During House Oversight Hearing," The Epoch Times, June 13, 2025