National Desk Quotes Dean Johnson on Asylum Seekers in New York City

Dean Kevin R. Johnson spoke to reporter Cory Smith of The National Desk for a Nov. 2 report on Mayor Eric Adams’ response to the influx of asylum seekers to New York City.

Adams, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and others are calling on the federal government to help, Smith reported. Johnson told Smith that federal authorities set immigration policy and bear the most responsibility for assisting the migrants.

“New York can't close its borders. New York can't improve the enforcement of its immigration laws. New York can't grant work authorization to migrants,” Johnson said. “New York has to rely, under the law, on the federal government.”

Johnson said the city should focus on effective negotiations with the federal government.

Kevin R. Johnson is the law school’s dean, Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law and professor of Chicana/o studies at UC Davis. He is an internationally recognized scholar in the fields of immigration law and policy, refugee law, and civil rights.