Kathy Hochul
Immigration#4 issue by volume for Kathy Hochul of 9Steady

Kathy Hochul on Immigration

124 episodesOverall tone: Hostile
Overall coverage

Hochul Faces Backlash Over Immigration Policies

Kathy Hochul's immigration policies have drawn significant criticism, particularly regarding her stance on law enforcement cooperation with ICE and her support for undocumented individuals. Her labeling of recent immigration enforcement actions as 'un-American' and her advocacy for health care for illegal immigrants have sparked debates about accountability and public safety. Critics argue that her administration's leniency towards illegal immigration undermines law enforcement and contributes to rising crime rates. Overall, Hochul is framed as a polarizing figure within the Democratic Party, facing challenges in balancing progressive ideals with public safety concerns.

See the 24 receipts behind this ↓

The Receipts

On-the-record lines behind the coverage of Kathy Hochul on Immigration — each links to the exact moment in the audio.

Host / other voice

Zohran Mamdani and Kathy Hochul, who are out there spreading lies about ICE and the Border Patrol and what the Trump administration is doing, and they won't actually admit to any culpability or responsibility in the innocent people that are killed because of what they do or don't do in keeping these guys in custody until ICE can pick them up and deport them.

Kathy Hochul· Nashville's Morning News with Dan Mandis· Aug 14, 202626:42
Host / other voice

Hokel, the New York Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul. Kathy Hochul shells out over $7 million to cover legal bills for 1,400 migrant children in New York.

Kathy Hochul· The Chris Plante Show (WMAL 105.9)· Aug 13, 202636:48
Kathy Hochul

I'm proud that we signed one of the most comprehensive laws to rain in ice in the entire country.

Kathy Hochul· The Howie Carr Radio Network· Aug 13, 202630:58
Host / other voice

Governor Kathy Hochul is actually the one putting kids at risk, not ICE agents.

Kathy Hochul· Houston's Morning News on KTRH· Aug 13, 2026listen
Host / other voice

Kathy Hochul came out yesterday, and she said, the guy that's running against me, this Bruce Blakeman, if he thinks he's going to continue to deal with ICE on a friendly basis, even though, even though Nassau County has deported murderers, rapists, drug dealers, kept that county very safe, she doesn't care.

Kathy Hochul· Sid & Friends In The Morning (WABC 770)· Aug 13, 20267:15
Host / other voice

Hopeo says helping migrants was the right thing to do.

Kathy Hochul· WSHU After All Things (New Haven)· Aug 12, 20268:41
Host / other voice

Kathy Hochul and the Democrats in the state legislature just passed a bill that makes it now illegal for New York County sheriffs to, in effect, rent cells to the federal government to hold federal immigration prisoners.

Kathy Hochul· WHAM Bob Lonsberry (Rochester)· Jul 14, 202626:05
Host / other voice

she's trying to stand up for law enforcement in one sense but is still demonizing ICE and federal law enforcement sort of in this same pandering balancing act that she's attempting.

Kathy Hochul· Guy Benson Show· Jun 1, 20266:45
Host / other voice

Kathy Hochul does not understand there's a need for ICE.

Kathy Hochul· Brian Kilmeade Show· May 7, 2026listen
Kathy Hochul

Governor Kathy Hochul says she has concerns about ICE's presence at the airport. What is the mission? What is this all about? Are you going to be doing ICE enforcement? Are you going to be, you know, racially profiling people in line for TSA?

Kathy Hochul· 1010 WINS ALL LOCAL· Mar 23, 20265:27
Host / other voice

New York Governor Kathy Hochul wants lawmakers to prevent counties from having cooperative agreements to help ICE.

Kathy Hochul· Fox News Rundown· Feb 10, 20263:25
Kathy Hochul

We will not allow masked ICE agents to storm our schools, our daycare centers, our hospitals, our houses of worship for civil immigration raids.

Kathy Hochul· Bloomberg Daybreak US· Jan 14, 202610:33

How each side frames it

Share of coverage by outlet leaning
Left 0.8% · 1 epCenter 41.9% · 52 epsRight 57.3% · 71 eps

Right-leaning outlets drive 57.3% of coverage.

Left1 ep · low sample
Tone: Positive
Center52 eps
↓↓Tone: Very Negative
Right71 eps
Tone: Hostile

Media tone toward Kathy Hochul on this issue, split by the leaning of the outlets covering it.

Coverage Volume

Episodes on this issue, per month · click a bar to jump to its story

Tone Trajectory

Media tone on this issue, per month — green favorable, red critical

Month by Month

August 2026
Hostile13 eps

Hochul Faces Backlash Over Immigration Funding

Kathy Hochul's decision to allocate over $7 million for legal services for unaccompanied migrant children sparked significant criticism from various commentators and political opponents. Critics framed her actions as prioritizing illegal immigration over public safety, accusing her of being out of touch with New Yorkers' concerns. The tone of the coverage was largely negative, portraying Hochul as vulnerable in her gubernatorial race amid growing dissatisfaction with her immigration policies.

July 2026
Hostile12 eps

Hochul Faces Backlash on Immigration Policies

Kathy Hochul's immigration policies drew significant criticism throughout July, with many accusing her of prioritizing political motives over public safety. Critics highlighted her decisions to limit cooperation with ICE and support for sanctuary laws, arguing these actions have led to increased crime and danger for New Yorkers. The tone across various discussions was largely negative, framing Hochul as ineffective and out of touch with the needs of her constituents.

June 2026
↓↓Very Negative9 eps

Hochul's Anti-ICE Laws Spark Controversy

Kathy Hochul faced significant scrutiny for her recent anti-ICE legislation, which restricts local law enforcement's cooperation with federal agents and bans ICE agents from wearing masks. Critics, including former ICE official Tom Homan, argued that her policies undermine public safety and could lead to increased ICE presence in New York. Despite the backlash, Hochul defended her stance as a reflection of New York's values and vowed to protect her immigration policies against federal challenges.

May 2026
Hostile18 eps

Sanctuary State Policies Under Fire

Kathy Hochul faced intense scrutiny over her administration's immigration policies, particularly regarding sanctuary city laws and cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Critics framed her actions as detrimental to public safety, accusing her of prioritizing the rights of undocumented individuals over the concerns of American citizens. The overall tone of the coverage was overwhelmingly negative, suggesting that her policies could have significant political repercussions as her approval ratings decline.

April 2026
Slightly Negative9 eps

Hochul Faces Backlash Over Immigration Policies

Kathy Hochul's administration faced significant scrutiny over its handling of immigration issues, particularly following the tragic death of Nehulalam, which she condemned while criticizing ICE's actions. Discussions highlighted her controversial stance on issuing driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants and her commitment to sanctuary policies, which some critics argue compromise public safety. Overall, the coverage portrayed Hochul as navigating a complex landscape of immigration enforcement and public perception, with her policies being framed as both protective and problematic.

March 2026
↓↓Very Negative15 eps

Hochul's Immigration Policies Under Fire

Kathy Hochul faced intense scrutiny over her immigration policies, particularly regarding her opposition to federal enforcement measures and support for sanctuary city policies. Critics argued that her stance prioritizes the rights of undocumented immigrants over public safety, linking her governance to tragic incidents involving illegal immigrants. The tone of the coverage was largely critical, framing her actions as politically motivated and detrimental to the safety of New Yorkers.

February 2026
↓↓Very Negative15 eps

Hochul's Immigration Policies Spark Controversy

Kathy Hochul's proposed Local Cops Local Crimes Act aims to limit local law enforcement's cooperation with ICE, drawing significant criticism from those who argue it could compromise public safety. Her administration's stance on immigration enforcement, including the push to ban 287G agreements, has been framed as part of a broader Democratic strategy, but it faces backlash from critics who believe it undermines local governance. Despite her rising approval ratings, the sentiment surrounding her immigration policies remains largely negative, particularly among upstate New Yorkers.

January 2026
Hostile20 eps

Hochul's Immigration Stance Sparks Backlash

Kathy Hochul faced significant criticism for her stance on immigration enforcement, particularly regarding her comments about ICE, which were framed as undermining law enforcement. Her proposals to limit local police cooperation with ICE and her condemnation of their operations were portrayed as part of a broader left-wing agenda that critics argue fosters a hostile environment for law enforcement. The tone of the coverage was predominantly negative, depicting her as contributing to political divisiveness and a perceived increase in lawlessness.

December 2025
Hostile7 eps

Hochul Faces Backlash on Immigration Policies

Kathy Hochul's immigration policies drew significant criticism throughout December, particularly regarding the issuance of commercial driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants and sanctuary laws. Critics labeled her leadership as 'hapless,' arguing that her policies jeopardize public safety and contribute to crime, while also impacting her standing with Hispanic voters ahead of upcoming elections. The tone of the coverage was predominantly negative, framing her administration as prioritizing illegal immigrants over the safety and concerns of American citizens.

October 2025
↓↓Very Negative6 eps

Hochul's Healthcare for Undocumented Sparks Debate

Kathy Hochul's support for providing healthcare to undocumented immigrants has ignited significant controversy, particularly following her affirmation during a debate with Congressman Mike Lawler. Critics argue that her policies, including the Greenlight Law allowing undocumented individuals to obtain driver's licenses, undermine public trust and contribute to illegal activities. The discourse surrounding her actions reflects a broader tension within the Democratic Party regarding immigration and healthcare, with Hochul positioned as a key figure in shaping state responses to federal immigration policies.

September 2025
Hostile4 eps

Hochul Calls Immigration Raid 'Un-American'

Kathy Hochul condemned a recent immigration raid at a New York company as 'un-American,' igniting a debate about her views on illegal immigration and law enforcement accountability. The backlash included scrutiny of her leadership and the implications of employing undocumented workers, suggesting a failure in corporate oversight. Additionally, her stance on ICE agents' mask policies was criticized as inconsistent, further complicating her position amid broader discussions on immigration and governance.

Events & Actions

The factual record behind the coverage — discrete actions and events, dated and linked to the episode they aired on.

  1. Criticized ICE for abandoning children
    Nashville's Morning News with Dan Mandis
  2. Accused of spreading misinformation about ICE's operations
    Nashville's Morning News with Dan Mandis
  3. Governor Hochul stated that the state is studying the issue of stun gloves used by ICE agents and may consider suing.
    WXXI Daily News (Rochester)
  4. Kathy Hochul announced funding of over $7 million for legal bills of migrant children.
    The Chris Plante Show (WMAL 105.9)
  5. Signed a law limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE
    The Howie Carr Radio Network
  6. Funded lawyers for 1,400 migrant children
    The Howie Carr Radio Network
  7. Hochul convened fellow Democrats to discuss new immigration laws.
    Sid & Friends In The Morning (WABC 770)
  8. Kathy Hochul made statements regarding her stance on ICE and immigration enforcement.
    Sid & Friends In The Morning (WABC 770)
  9. expressed concerns about ICE agents using electric shock gloves
    1010 WINS ALL LOCAL
  10. announced funding for legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children
    1010 WINS ALL LOCAL
  11. Allocated almost $4 billion of state money to help asylum seekers
    WSHU After All Things (New Haven)
  12. Signed a new state law restricting local governments from cooperating with federal immigration agents
    WSHU After All Things (New Haven)
  13. Criticized Hochul's immigration policies and bail reform laws.
    WHAM Bob Lonsberry (Rochester)
  14. Kathy Hochul's policies on immigration and public safety were criticized.
    Brian Kilmeade Show

Where It Aired

Shows split by their average tone toward Kathy Hochul on this issue.