Republican gubernatorial hopeful Rob Astorino is demanding answers into a series of secretive flights allegedly carrying undocumented migrants into the Hudson Valley.
This time the flights went into Stewart Airport in Orange County.
“They are coming directly from El Paso; at times McAllen, Texas,” said Astornio. “They go to regional airports around the country. Westchester is the most utilized and now Stewart in Orange County.”
Astorino says there’s been at least two flights at Stewart Airport since mid-May, and that the migrants are being shipped by buses to various locations in the tri-state area.
He leaked video to Twitter Sunday showing what appear to be dozens of adult passengers outside the airport in the middle of the night.
Astorino publicly shared similar photos from Westchester County Airport last August.
“Those who have broken the law, who are here illegally, are getting assistance from taxpayers and yet we are getting no answers from our federal government. I think that’s a major issue,” said Astorino.
U.S. officials told News 12 last summer that the flights were carrying undocumented minors separated from their parents at the border.
Recently, policymakers said the flights have legally occurred for decades under immigration law and accuse Astorino of ‘fear mongering’.
“Anything the government does clandestinely in the middle of the night, giving no information to the citizens – that is the first and foremost clue that they themselves know that this is problematic,” said Astorino.
Astorino says migrants are being allowed in at the southern border under U.S. asylum laws – that are supposed to grant entry for religious or political persecution.
He says the practice undermines people trying to legally obtain visas or citizenship and is incentivizing illegal entry into the country.
Astorino wrote President Joe Biden with concerns but says he hasn’t gotten a response.
He wants Gov. Kathy Hochul to confirm how the state is keeping track of who’s coming in.
News 12 has repeatedly reached out to the governor’s office and Port Authority about the flights, but has not received a response.