‘You prioritize illegals first’: Elise Stefanik grills Kathy Hochul over New York’s sanctuary state policies

The faceoff occurred as Hochul, alongside Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and failed vice-presidential candidate and Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz, testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Stefanik grilled Hochul over multiple cases of crime in New York committed by illegal immigrants, including Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, who burned 57-year-old Debrina Kawam to death on the F train in New York City.

Hochul claimed she was not familiar with the case when asked if she knew what crime he committed.

Stefanik responded, "I bet you're going to be familiar when I remind you he found a sleeping woman on a subway, lit her on fire, and burned her alive. This is in Kathy Hochul's New York and I'm sure you are aware, and I'll remind you, that ICE issued an order to detain this violent criminal, but that was rejected by New York officials due to sanctuary state laws.”

Stefanik, who is viewed as a potential 2026 challenger to Hochul, pressed the New York governor on illegal immigration, citing recent violent crimes in New York City. “You are not advocating on behalf of these victims. You are shielding illegals. Even in your opening statement, you prioritize illegals first,” Stefanik said.

“That is not true,” Hochul claimed. “Rather than going after the viral moment, I suggest you look at the facts.”

"No, no, no, I’m looking out for New Yorkers,” Stefanik said.

Tensions over immigration have intensified across the country following boosted US Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations to remove illegal immigrants, as well as riots in Los Angeles. Hochul opened her testimony with a reference to that situation, saying: “An American city has been militarized, over the objections of their governor. At the outset, I just want to say that this is a flagrant abuse of power.”

The New York Police Department has reported nightly arrests of protesters in recent days, but insists it does not need National Guard or military assistance to handle the situation.

In early May, Stefanik criticized Hochul’s performance and hinted at a gubernatorial run, calling her “the worst governor” and accusing her of making Andrew Cuomo look competent by comparison.

“She is the worst governor, and it’s showing in her poor, abysmal approval ratings,” Stefanik said at the time.