Chinese National Sentenced to Prison for Role in Crypto Scam Targeting Americans

 

Chinese national Jingliang Su was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for his role in laundering more than $36.9 million from victims in a digital asset investment conspiracy that was carried out from scam centers in Cambodia. The court also ordered Su to pay $26,867,242.44 in restitution. Su pleaded guilty in June 2025 to one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal money transmitting business.

“This defendant and his co-conspirators scammed 174 Americans out of their hard-earned money,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “In the digital age, criminals have found new ways to weaponize the internet for fraud. The Criminal Division and its law enforcement partners have continued to evolve and caught large-scale scammers, who target people through their phones, social media, and fake internet sites, steal from them, and then move their money through cryptocurrency and wire transfers outside of the United States.”

“New investment opportunities may sound intriguing, but they have a dark side: attracting criminals who, in this case, stole then laundered tens of millions of dollars from their victims,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “I thank our law enforcement partners for their efforts at bringing this defendant to justice and I encourage the investing public to be cautious. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

According to court documents, Su was part of an international criminal network that induced U.S. victims to transfer funds to accounts controlled by co-conspirators, who then laundered victim money through U.S. shell companies, international bank accounts, and digital asset wallets. The cycle of the scheme began when overseas co-conspirators contacted U.S. victims via unsolicited social media interactions, telephone calls, text messages, and online dating services to gain the victims’ trust. The co-conspirators promoted fraudulent digital asset investments to the victims. The co-conspirators created fake websites that resembled real cryptocurrency trading platforms and convinced victims to send funds through the fake websites for investments. 

The scammers would then tell the victims that their investments were appreciating in value when, in fact, the scammers had stolen the victims’ money. More than $36.9 million in victim funds were transferred from U.S. bank accounts controlled by the co-conspirators to a single account at Deltec Bank in the Bahamas. Su and other co-conspirators directed Deltec Bank to convert victim funds to the stablecoin Tether (USDT) and to transfer the converted funds to a digital asset wallet controlled in Cambodia. From there, co-conspirators in Cambodia transferred the USDT to the leaders of scam centers throughout the region. Ultimately, the government was able to identify 174 U.S. victims.

Eight co-conspirators have pleaded guilty so far, including Jose Somarriba and ShengSheng He. He and Somarriba each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business and were sentenced to 51 months and 36 months in prison, respectively.

U.S. Secret Service’s Global Investigative Operations Center is investigating the case. Homeland Security Investigations’ El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Dominican National Police, and U.S. Marshals Service provided valuable assistance.

Trial Attorney Stefanie Schwartz of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS), Trial Attorney Tamara Livshiz of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maxwell Coll, Alexander Gorin, and Nisha Chandran for the Central District of California prosecuted the case.

The sentencing is the latest outcome of the Criminal Division’s continuing work to investigate, disrupt, and bring to justice individuals facilitating scam center operations worldwide, in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. In combating scam centers, the Criminal Division draws on its expertise in countering cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, money laundering, human trafficking, and transnational organized crime. By seizing and forfeiting crime-linked cryptocurrency, dismantling digital infrastructure used by the scammers to target U.S. citizens, and disrupting domestic and international money laundering networks, the Criminal Division and its partners will cut off access to victim proceeds and tools that enable the fraud. As international relationships are critical to address this growing threat, the Criminal Division will draw on its network of International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property prosecutors (ICHIPs) who are strategically posted throughout the world to coordinate with foreign law enforcement partners.

CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cybercriminals and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.

If you or someone you know is a victim of a digital asset investment fraud, report it to IC3.gov. 

Mayor Mamdani Releases New Video Urging New Yorkers to Take Precautions As Life-Threatening Cold Continues

 

New Yorkers are encouraged to stay inside if possible, call 311 if they see someone in need of assistance 

 

City has opened 17 warming and health centers, adding vehicular warming spaces across the city 

 

Watch the public service announcement HERE

TODAY, Mayor Mamdani released a new PSA urging New Yorkers to take precautions as life-threatening cold continues in New York City. This new video taps into the Mayor’s wide digital reach and builds on the administration’s wide-reaching efforts to help New Yorkers stay safe and warm during the storm – including newly-opened New York City Health + Hospitals health centers and warming vehicles at key locations across the city.  

 

Mayor Mamdani announced today the administration implemented new unprecedented health and safety measures to both reach more people in need and provide more options for people to stay inside. In addition to opening ten warming centers before the storm hit, the City opened additional New York City Health + Hospitals health centers across the five boroughs; setting up warming vehicles at key locations across the city; and partnering with houses of worship to ensure New Yorkers know where they can find indoor space. Additionally, Mayor Mamdani announced relaxed intake policies at all hospitals across the city. 

 

“Right now, our city is in the midst of potentially the longest stretch of below-freezing temperatures on record. Our administration is leaving no stone unturned to reach New Yorkers in need of assistance, and to ensure that warm spaces are available to anybody who needs them,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani at this morning’s press conference. “Please stay indoors, stay safe, and call 311 if you see someone in need of assistance. No one will be turned away from a shelter during this emergency.” 

 

The City has been under a Code Blue emergency since Monday, January 19th where shelters have a relaxed intake policy and outreach teams canvass the city for homeless New Yorkers in need of shelter every four hours, and every two when weather conditions constitute an enhanced Code Blue emergency. These outreach teams have made nearly 500 placements to transitional housing, including shelters, safe haven beds, and stabilization beds since January 19th. Tragically, at least ten New Yorkers have lost their lives after being found outdoors; the City continues to conduct autopsy reports to assess their cause of death and is determining their housing status at time of death. 

 

To help reach New Yorkers in need, the administration is allowing outreach providers to pay overtime to do as much overnight outreach as possible; partnering with faith-based organizations, advocates, and volunteers like the Street Homeless Advocacy Project to conduct life and safety outreach, including extra outreach shifts in high need areas; and expanding the hours of Street Health Outreach & Wellness mobile units to bring people indoors during late and early hours, including using their vans for transport and temporary shelter. 

 

In addition, the annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) count, which had been scheduled for the night of January 27th, was postponed to February 3rd to ensure that outreach workers can use all available resources to serve New Yorkers in need. 

 

Since preparation for the winter storm began, the Mamdani administration has led three large-scale briefings for city, state, and federal elected officials and staff, each with more than 100 participants, and daily private sector calls with financial services, retail, food distribution, airlines, and real estate industries to ensure continuity of essential services and align private infrastructure with City response priorities. 

 

Mayor Mamdani’s calls for New Yorkers to sign up for Notify NYC alerts have driven nearly 70,000 new subscribers in one week, including the largest single day enrollment in system history. 

 

READ the full transcript of the video here:

 

“Hello New York.  

 

The snow may have stopped falling, but the dangerous cold remains. Our city is in the midst of what may be the longest stretch of below freezing temperatures in recorded history.    

 

Extreme cold snaps like this are life-threatening. Already, 10 of our neighbors have tragically passed away after being found outdoors. We are doing everything in our power to keep New Yorkers safe.   

 

First of all, the City remains in enhanced Code Blue. That means outreach teams are working around the clock to get homeless New Yorkers into shelters. We’ve already made 500 placements since January 19. As part of Code Blue, we are rerouting 311 calls to 911 so help arrives faster. We are bypassing traditional shelter intake rules so that everyone can be accommodated.  

 

Let me clear: no one will be turned away.  

 

We are also increasing the hours of outreach vans that can transport people to shelter during late and early hours. We’re expanding paid overtime of those outreach teams.   

 

We have opened 10 new warming shelters since Friday. as well as an additional 7 health centers and ten new warming buses across the five boroughs.  

 

When it comes to getting people out of the cold, we are leaving no stone unturned. If you see someone outside in the cold who looks like they might need help, please call 311.   

 

Stay safe, stay warm, and look out for your neighbors.” 

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES NEW APPOINTMENTS TO LEAD KEY CITY AGENCIES

 

New Commissioners Will Lead Department of Probation, Department of  Citywide Administrative Services, and Department of Environmental Protection

Mayor Zohran Mamdani today announced three new appointments to lead key city agencies and deliver on the Mamdani administration’s vision for a more affordable, accessible, and just New York City. Mayor Mamdani appointed Sharun Goodwin as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation, Yume Kitasei as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services, and Lisa Garcia as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. These appointments — who bring decades of experience across city, state, and federal government — reflect Mayor Mamdani’s continued commitment to building an experienced, diverse, and dynamic administration. 

 

“Working-class New Yorkers deserve a city that works for them. The appointments we are announcing today will help us deliver on that vision,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Each of these New Yorkers shares a common commitment to service, a desire to place this city and its needs before their own, and a real ambition to deepen what New Yorkers expect from government. I’m grateful to them for joining our administration and look forward to working together to deliver a new era for New York.” 

 

“From our city’s buildings and vehicle fleet to our sewage treatment and wastewater facilities, DCAS and DEP are at the heart of our city. Yume and Lisa have the experience, expertise, and integrity to lead them both,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “I am excited to work closely with both of them as we embark on a new era for our city.”   

 

About Sharun Goodwin 

 

Sharun Goodwin will serve as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation (DOP). A 37-year veteran of DOP, Commissioner Goodwin has dedicated her career to working with people on probation and moving New Yorkers out of the criminal and juvenile justice systems. After joining the department in 1987 as a Probation Officer Trainee, Commissioner Goodwin went on to serve as a Probation Officer, Branch Chief, Assistant Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner, Adult Operations before retiring in 2024. She received national recognition for her work supporting the needs of diverse communities and pioneering programs that emphasize education, employment, and meaningful engagement such as the “Anyone Can Excel” model, the Arches Transformative Mentoring Program, and the Neighborhood Opportunity Network initiative. Commissioner Goodwin holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Utica University. 

 

As the head of DOP, Commissioner Goodwin will help advance the Mamdani Administration’s vision for a more just New York City and ensure DOP provides substantive engagement and opportunity to every New Yorker on probation. 

 

“Today is more than a professional milestone for me — it is the continuation of a journey that began many years ago when I first walked through the doors of this department,” said DOP Commissioner Goodwin. “Public safety and compassion are not opposing forces — they are complementary responsibilities. When we balance enforcement with opportunity, structure with support, and accountability with hope, we create lasting change. I thank Mayor Mamdani, our justice partners, community leaders, and my family for your trust and support. I pledge to lead with transparency, courage, and unwavering dedication to the people of this city. Together, we will move this department forward, strengthen communities, and build a safer New York for all.” 

 

“Sharun Goodwin has dedicated her career to helping her fellow New Yorkers. Sharun is a known innovator at the Department of Probation, turning the page on decades of broken policy to deliver a city that is safe and just for all,” said First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan. “As Commissioner, I am confident that Sharun will continue to champion reform and work with New Yorkers to connect them with the opportunities they deserve.”   

 

About Yume Kitasei 

 

Yume Kitasei will serve as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). Commissioner Kitasei brings a wealth of experience across multiple mayoral administrations, having previously served as Chief of Staff to the First Deputy Mayor, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor for Operations, Director of City Legislative Affairs, and more. She also served as Chief of Staff to New York City Councilmember Margaret Chin and as Community Liaison for Manhattan Community Board 1. In addition to her public service, she is the author of several books of speculative fiction. Commissioner Kitasei graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University. 

 

In her role, Commissioner Kitasei will help oversee the city government’s workforce, assets, properties, and procurement efforts, delivering high-quality administrative services and advancing the Mamdani Administration’s values of transparent leadership and government excellence. 

 

“I’m honored by and grateful to the Mayor for the opportunity to serve in his administration. I’ve dedicated my career to City service, but I’m inspired by the energy of this particular moment,” said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. “As DCAS Commissioner, I’m excited to work with the agency to transform how the City hires and manages its properties and help bring City government into a new era.” 

 

“Yume Kitasei is one of the finest public servants in New York City and knows how to make government work for working people,” said First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan. “Yume will lead DCAS with determination, intelligence and creativity — ensuring the City has the personnel, resources and systems needed to deliver the Mayor’s Affordability Agenda. We are lucky to have her in the Administration.” 

 

“I congratulate Yume Kitasei on her appointment as Commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Yume is a dedicated public servant who has spent years using her knowledge and expertise to improve the lives of New Yorkers,” said New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin. “I’m proud to have worked alongside Yume during our time serving on Manhattan’s Community Board 1, where her career in public service began, and I look forward to working with her again in this new role.” 

About Lisa Garcia 

 

Lisa Garcia will serve as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). An experienced administrator, lawyer, and policymaker, Commissioner Garcia has spent her career working across the public and private sector to protect the environment and advance climate justice. She previously served as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Regional Administrator for Region 2, overseeing the Biden Administration’s environmental agenda in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight Indian Nations. She ran the Climate Solutions Lab at GRIST Magazine, where she worked to elevate climate justice leaders, and served as both Vice President for Litigation at EarthJustice and as an Associate Administrator and Advisor at the EPA. Along with experience at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Bureau, Commissioner Garcia previously served as an Associate Professor at Rutgers Law School and as Adjunct Faculty at Columbia University and New York University School of Law. She received her B.A. from Stony Brook University and her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. 

 

In this position, Commissioner Garcia will help protect the city’s infrastructure and environment; ensure the delivery of high-quality services such as drinking water and sewage treatment; and make sure that New York City is a global leader in the fight against the climate crisis. 

 

“Whether it’s advocating for community groups, working for the state and federal government, or representing large NGOs and academic organizations, I’ve been proud to fight for environmental and climate justice throughout my career. Those are the exact same principles I will bring to DEP,” said DEP Commissioner Garcia. “Thank you to Mayor Mamdani for this extraordinary opportunity and honor. While the infrastructure and resiliency needs of New York City may be challenging, I know this department and this administration are up to the task, and I am ready to get to work.” 

DHS Launches Investigation into American Citizen Who Attempted to Purchase Firearm to “Kill ICE Agents”

 

Radical rhetoric by sanctuary politicians leads to an unprecedented 1,300% increase in assaults against ICE officers and a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced an investigation into a female U.S. citizen who attempted to purchase a firearm on two separate occasions and stated she wanted to “buy a gun to protect herself from ICE Agents, and also to kill ICE Agents.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New York State Police (NYSP) are investigating the purchase attempts which occurred in Kenmore, New York.

“Every day there are more assaults, more vehicle-ramming attacks, more attempts to kill our officers. Now, we have an American citizen purchasing a gun with the intent to KILL our officers,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Comparing ICE day-in and day-out to the Nazi Gestapo, the Secret Police, and slave patrols has consequences. The men and women of ICE and CBP are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters. They get up every morning to try and make our communities safer. Like everyone else, they just want to go home to their families at night. The violence and dehumanization of these men and women who are simply enforcing the law must stop.”

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s message is clear: you will not stop or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The public can report doxing and harassment against ICE officers by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or by completing ICE’s online tip form.

Former Senior Bank Executive, Edward Gene Smith, Pleads Guilty To Sexual Assault, Child Pornography, And Obstruction Of Justice Offenses

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that EDWARD GENE SMITH pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer to drugging a female victim (“Victim-1”) with the intent to rape her, enticing another female victim (“Victim-2”) to travel to New York where SMITH drugged and sexually assaulted her, receipt of child pornography, and obstruction of justice. SMITH also admitted to additional conduct relating to other victims.  SMITH is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Engelmayer on May 8, 2026.  

“Edward Gene Smith is a predator,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “He used money, access, and his influence in our community to identify, lure, drug, and sexually assault young women.  He trafficked in images of child sexual abuse.  He thought he could evade the law by paying a victim to sign a false statement.  This case sends two messages: there is no place in New York for sexual predators, and those who seek to obstruct justice will be brought to justice.” 

According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment, admissions the defendant has made in connection with the plea, public documents, and statements made in court:

Between approximately 2015 and June 2024, SMITH, who was during that approximate time period a senior executive of major financial institutions, planned to drug, attempted to drug, and/or drugged numerous women with the intent to incapacitate them and/or render them unable to consent to sexual activity.  SMITH did, in fact, engage in sexual activity with multiple of these women, and, in at least some cases, surreptitiously took videos or photographs of his criminal sexual activity.

At least on or about April 23, 2023, SMITH drugged and raped Victim-1 in his Central Park South residence.  Specifically, unbeknownst to Victim-1, SMITH gave Victim-1 one or more alcoholic beverages that he had laced with Klonopin, a controlled substance.  After Victim-1 consumed the drugged drink, SMITH physically restrained Victim-1 and raped her while she was unconscious.  While Victim-1 was still unconscious, SMITH also took a video of himself sexually assaulting Victim-1, and then shared that video with others via an encrypted messaging platform, on a channel that was dedicated to sharing depictions of incapacitated or unconscious women in sexually exploitative positions.

Previously, between in or about 2019 and in or about 2020, SMITH repeatedly drugged and sexually assaulted Victim-2. SMITH met Victim-2 in 2019 when Victim-2 was a college student and persuaded Victim-2 to relocate to New York City, which she did.  SMITH thereafter controlled Victim-2’s finances, social life, and activities, and repeatedly drugged and sexually assaulted Victim-2 over the course of several months.  During this time period, SMITH caused Victim-2 to engage in sexual activity through coercion and force, including threatened and physical assault and physical restraint.  Additionally, SMITH informed Victim-2 of one or more firearms that he possessed and showed Victim-2 at least one such firearm.

In or about the fall of 2021, SMITH communicated with another victim (“Victim-3”), who was then 17 years old.  SMITH followed a similar pattern with Victim-3.  While Victim-3 was still 17 years old, SMITH solicited explicit photographs from Victim-3.  Shortly after Victim-3 turned 18 years old, SMITH caused Victim-3 to travel to New York City, attempted to drug Victim-3, and then physically and sexually assaulted her. In or about October 2023, SMITH caused Victim-3 to travel to New York City again, which she did, and drugged and sexually assaulted her.  Around this time, SMITH also posted Victim-3’s photographs and personal contact information to a website advertising prostitution services, without Victim-3’s knowledge.

Between approximately 2012 and June 2024, SMITH also received via the internet and possessed a large volume of images and videos on his personal devices that depicted children, including prepubescent children, being sexually abused.

In or about August 2024, after a search warrant was executed at SMITH’s residence, revealing that SMITH possessed child pornography on his electronic devices, SMITH paid Victim-1 thousands of dollars to sign a false document in an attempt to obstruct the investigation.  Also in or about August 2024, SMITH solicited other individuals to sign false documents in an attempt to obstruct the investigation.

If you have been victimized by SMITH in any way or have any additional information about his illegal behavior, please call the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

SMITH, 50, of New York, New York, was arrested on September 10, 2024 and has been detained since January 8, 2025. SMITH pled guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance with intent to commit rape, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of enticement to travel to engage in unlawful sexual activity, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The mandatory minimum and maximum sentences described above are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI.

Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Westchester County

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Manuel Boitel, who died on January 23, 2026 following a motor vehicle incident involving an off-duty member of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) on January 22, 2026 on the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County.

At approximately 11:39 p.m. on January 22, an off-duty NYPD sergeant was driving on the Taconic State Parkway near mile marker 3.7 when they struck another vehicle driven by Mr. Boitel. Mr. Boitel was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight on January 23.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.   

Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul

“Today's announcement by the Gateway Development Commission is just the latest collateral damage of Donald Trump's vindictive quest to hurt New Yorkers no matter the cost. The stakes are enormous: hundreds of thousands of daily commuters, 10,000 union jobs and billions of dollars in economic benefits all now imperiled by Donald Trump's attempts to rip away infrastructure funding from New York.

“Make no mistake, the Gateway Tunnel is vital to the economy of this state and the entire region, and I will fight like hell to ensure it gets built.”

 

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Federal Actions Threaten NY's Farms and Food Production

 

New York farmers are under increasing economic and financial pressure because of federal policy changes, including higher tariffs, cuts to certain agricultural programs, and stricter immigration enforcement policies, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. These challenges could diminish farm production, squeeze profits, and lead to higher prices for consumers.

“There is real concern in rural New York about federal cuts, tariffs and labor shortages,” said DiNapoli. “New York’s farms are a vital part of the state’s economy and our local food supply, and we need policies that strengthen, not undermine their production and that lower, not drive up, prices in the grocery store.”

Agriculture is an important part of the state’s economy. New York’s 30,650 farms contributed nearly $3 billion to the state’s gross domestic product in 2022 and employed or supported 163,148 jobs in 2019. However, DiNapoli’s report identified impacts to the financial viability of family farms in the state from recent federal actions.

USDA Funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assists farmers through grants, subsidies, loans and technical support. In 2022, 3,275 farms in New York received $66.3 million in direct federal payments, excluding crop insurance payments. In addition, the state received $382 million in USDA payments from three major programs, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency and Rural Development. These programs fund a wide variety of projects on and off the farm, including housing, community water systems, renewable energy projects, guaranteed farm loans, conservation reserve programs and technical assistance for environmental projects. Nearly every county in New York receives assistance from at least one of the programs.

DiNapoli’s report breaks down changes to federal funding for agriculture, including reductions over 10 years of $1.8 billion for conservation and $150 million to forestry programs, and a cut of $84 million in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 appropriations for the Farm Service Agency. While some commodities and crop insurance programs will receive increased funding, these changes are likely to have limited impact in New York. New York’s dairy sector may be the only local commodity to see a significant benefit since most programs are geared toward crops like sugar, wheat and cotton not widely grown in New York. Inflation, coupled with flat funding for other programs, may undermine USDA’s support for farmers and rural communities in New York.

In addition, the decrease in funding for nutritional assistance programs will mean less money spent at grocery stores, farmers markets and for purchases by food banks, resulting in a loss of markets for farms.

Tariffs

Tariffs are impacting farmers, affecting their ability to sell their products around the world, and increasing the cost of supplies and equipment for farms that already operate on thin margins. New York dairy exports declined by as much as 12% in the first half of 2025 vs. 2024, and U.S. soybean sales to China dropped from 985 million bushels in 2024 to 218 million in the first eight months of 2025.

DiNapoli’s report found that prices have climbed for imported fertilizers, steel and farm equipment. In July, the National Corn Growers Association found that fertilizer prices had increased from the first of the year between 4.7% and 37.6%, depending on the type of fertilizer. Increased uncertainty around markets and production costs makes it tougher for farmers to plan for future growing seasons.

Immigration

New York farms employed more than 56,000 people in 2022, excluding contract farm laborers, according to the USDA. Many of the workers are immigrants who plant and pick crops and work with farm animals. In 2023, nearly 10,000 were employed through the seasonal H2A federal guest worker visa program, but New York’s Agriculture Commissioner estimates as many as half of the farm labor workforce in the state was undocumented in 2018.

Recent immigration enforcement has been a concern for many farmers, especially those in the dairy industry. Even the U.S. Department of Labor recognizes this as a serious issue for the nation’s food supply, saying there could be significant disruptions to production costs and it threatens the stability of domestic food production and prices for U.S consumers.

The report noted that the loss of farm employees at crucial points in the growing season, or in the case of dairy farms, at any point in the year, could devastate individual farms.

Report

Federal Impact: New York State Farming and Agriculture

Related Reports

Federal Actions Threaten to Exacerbate Rising Food Insecurity

A Profile of Agriculture in New York State