New York Rep. Elise Stefanik tore into Governor Kathy Hochul when she could not recall the details of several high-profile criminal cases involving illegal migrants in New York.
Stefanik invoked an executive order on immigration signed by Hochul, along with a number of recent crimes committed by those who were in the country without authorization, including the burning of a woman on the New York City subway last year.
During a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Stefanik highlighted how Hochul extended an executive order, “a continuation of your predecessor’s sanctuary state policies,” three times, most recently on Jan. 16, 2025. Hochul’s predecessor is former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is currently running to become mayor of New York City.
The order states that state officers or employees shall not disclose information to federal immigration authorities “for the purpose of federal civil immigration enforcement.” It goes on to say 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.” The policy also says law enforcement officers “have no authority in the State of New York to take any policy action, solely because the person is an undocumented alien.”
Stefanik, who is considering a potential gubernatorial run, then proceeded to quiz Hochul on several recent high-profile cases in New York, but the Democratic governor drew a blank.
Hochul did not recognize the name of Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who was charged with setting a sleeping woman on fire on a New York City subway in December 2024. The victim, 57-year-old Debrina Kawam, was reportedly homeless. Zapeta-Calil was reportedly deported in 2018 and illegally re-entered the U.S.
“Do you know who Sebastian Zapeta-Calil is?” Stefanik asked Hochul.
Hochul responded, “I’m sure you’ll tell me. There’s many cases….”
“These are high-profile cases,” Stefanik interjected. “New Yorkers know about them, and you don’t. So let’s talk about Sebastian Zapeta-Calil. Do you know who that is?”
“I don’t have the specific details at my disposal, no,” Hochul said.
Stefanik continued, “Well, this is an illegal migrant in New York because of your sanctuary state policies. Do you know what crime he committed?”
“I’m not familiar at this moment,” Hochul admitted.
Stefanik responded, “I bet you’re going to be familiar when I remind you. He found a sleeping woman on the subway, lit her on fire and burned her alive.”
“This is Kathy Hochul’s New York. It’s one of the many reasons why you’re hemorrhaging support from hardworking New York families,” Stefanik said. “They’re horrific crimes that are committed on your watch. You signed this executive order on your first day in office. You signed it again and again this January. We deserved a governor who stands up for New Yorkers, who doesn’t put illegals first but actually puts New Yorkers first,” she continued.
The governor also tried to deflect and speak more broadly about state policies when Stefanik asked her specifically if she recalled Raymond Rojas Basilio. The previously removed Mexican national was convicted of molesting a victim less than 11 years old. ICE arrested the 36-year-old fugitive outside his Queens residence in December.
“He is an illegal who molested an 11-year-old in our state because, again, of your sanctuary state policies,” Stefanik said. “This illegal was shielded from federal immigration enforcement and able to commit this heinous crime.”
The governor said those were “horrific crimes,” but Stefanik interjected.
“They’re horrific crimes that are committed on your watch,” Stefanik said. “You sign this executive order on your first day in office. You sign it again and again this January. We deserve a governor who stands up for law-abiding New Yorkers, doesn’t put illegals first, but actually puts New Yorkers first.”
Hochul said the state does cooperate with federal law enforcement on criminal matters and said Stefanik’s “representation of the facts is absolutely false.”
The governor also accused Stefanik of trying to create a “viral moment,” but the congresswoman asserted, “I’m standing up for New Yorkers.”
A Siena College poll released last month showed 55 percent of New York voters said they want “someone else” in next year’s gubernatorial race, while 36 percent said they prefer Hochul, marking a shift of negative 10 points since the same poll last month.
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I’ve lived in far western NY state all my life (72 years) and Love Stefanik, dislike intensely hochul-the-jokul. Ol’ hochul makes even aoc, crocket and raskin look like mensa members.
Stefanik is a gift to the American people. I value her above nearly all other members of Congress.