Friend: The Federal Government Must Step Up to Fix Migrant Crisis Before Any State Resources, Including SUNY Campuses, Are Used

Statement from Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C-Big Flats) in response to news that SUNY Cobleskill is being eyed for migrant housing

“State resources should not be used on a federal failure. SUNY Cobleskill and other campuses should be off-limits to housing migrants. It would be a total disruption to the activities and education that occurs year-round. Summer is a busy time for SUNY colleges as courses continue and programs are opened to children in the area. Without knowing the background of any of these migrants, I do not feel comfortable opening these vulnerable institutions in this way.

“The federal government has done New York and other states a great disservice by not addressing the migrant crisis. The president couldn’t even acknowledge the strife faced by our state when he came to visit last week. Again, the federal government must step up.”