Governor Hochul Secures Historic Investments to Bolster New York’s Healthcare System and Protect the Health and Well-Being of All New Yorkers as Part of the FY27 Budget

Leading the Way With Historic Investments to Transform New York’s Healthcare Delivery System

Investing in Safety Net Hospitals Statewide

Strengthening Patient Protections by Implementing State’s Own Vaccine Policies

Bolstering Cardiac Emergency Readiness Across State

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced significant investments to strengthen New York’s healthcare system as a part of the FY27 Enacted Budget that will increase efficiency and lower costs for New Yorkers. The Governor’s initiatives include significant investments to bolster the state’s critical healthcare providers, makes further investments in the Safety Net Transformation Program, implements new technological advancements to improve quality of care and further advances health equity across the state.

“Access to high-quality health care that’s affordable for New Yorkers must always be a top priority,” Governor Hochul said. “While Washington Republicans continue their relentless attempts to undermine our healthcare system, this Budget will ensure the state remains a national leader in providing the quality healthcare New Yorkers can trust.”

Strengthening the Healthcare Delivery System

Investing in Critical Healthcare Services

In addition to normal operational stresses facing healthcare providers, the health sector has been a target for recent federal cuts, including those advanced as part H.R. 1. To support hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living programs during these uncertain times, the Budget will include an additional $1.5 billion in State support for these critical institutions, in addition to $1 billion in investments that are continued from last year’s Budget.

This includes nearly $1.4 billion in new and recurring investments to support New York’s critical hospital infrastructure reimbursement increases and programs that incentivize quality of care.

Additionally, the Budget provides over $950 million in new and recurring investments to support Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Programs that provide care to some of our neediest populations.

In addition, this Budget provides $80 million in investments in Federally Qualified Health Centers, which are on the front lines of providing care to the State’s uninsured and underinsured.

Expanding the Safety Net Transformation Program

Safety net hospitals care for the most vulnerable New Yorkers, but face serious challenges in maintaining financial resilience and stability. To address this, Governor Hochul established the Safety Net Transformation Program, providing financial support and regulatory flexibility to encourage strategic partnerships that strengthen these hospitals. Since its passage, Governor Hochul has awarded more than $4.4 billion to support 14 partnerships across the state.

This year, Governor Hochul secured $1.3 billion in additional capital and operating funding to continue supporting new and existing projects under the program. In addition, the Governor secured special focus areas including partnerships that focus on regional planning to improve coordination of care and reduce duplication of healthcare services, and partnerships that utilize AI to improve efficiency and quality of care.

The Enacted Budget also provides $500 million in additional funding for the Vital Access Provider Assistance Program (VAPAP), to support distressed facilities that are experiencing financial emergencies, and they restructure their operations to achieve financial sustainability.

Expanding the Use of Artificial Intelligence Technology in HealthCare Safely and Equitably

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care is rapidly advancing with promises to improve operational efficiency and patient care if carefully adopted. It is essential to coordinate AI advancement within the health care delivery system in a way that promotes greater access, quality, and equity in care delivery at a lower cost for all patients.

Governor Hochul will direct the Department of Health (DOH) to establish a consortium of healthcare and AI experts to share data and best practices and strengthen cross-sector collaboration around building, testing, and deploying safe and effective AI tools. This is supported by $1.5 million in the Enacted Budget. To ensure equitable access, Governor Hochul will incentivize partnerships between safety net hospitals and other healthcare partners to implement AI solutions that improve quality of care and strengthen operations. In addition, the State will develop systems to evaluate and launch best-in-class AI tools within DOH, the Medicaid program, and the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General to strengthen program integrity.

Enabling Transformation of the Health Care Delivery System

Healthcare providers are required to follow regulatory requirements, including the Certificate of Need (CON) process, to receive approval for certain healthcare projects. While it is a critical process, it can be time-intensive for both providers and the Department of Health. Governor Hochul has already made progress by streamlining the application and review process for certain projects and significantly raising the thresholds for applications that require a more detailed review.

To reduce the burden further, the Enacted Budget provides $11 million. Governor Hochul will direct DOH to make the CON process more efficient and targeted to improve the experience of providers and expedite important healthcare projects across the state.

Empowering the Healthcare Workforce

Reducing Reliance on Temporary Staff To Stabilize New York's Health Care Workforce

During the Covid-19 pandemic, reliance on temporary staff and traveling nurses skyrocketed. Years after the height of the pandemic, this reliance continues. In 2024, health care facilities paid temporary staffing agencies more than $2.6 billion, and the agencies kept $1 billion of that in profits. And these are not always workers coming on temporary assignment from other states. New York residents make up 72 percent of the temporary workforce, and the majority of these New York residents permanently live within 25 miles of their "temporary" work location.

Governor Hochul’s plan will ensure healthcare dollars are supporting the delivery of care and not middlemen. In addition, the Governor will direct the Department of Health to develop guidance and share best practices to ensure healthcare organizations have the information they need to secure temporary staff when it is necessary.

Improving Healthcare Coverage, Access and Affordability

Defending New Yorkers’ Access to Quality, Affordable Health Coverage

Despite achieving one of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation, recent federal actions threaten the continued affordability and accessibility of health coverage in New York. Federal cuts to New York’s Essential Plan totaling $7.5 billion, more than half of the program’s annual funding, endanger the program’s continued viability. The expiration of federal enhanced premium tax credits in 2025 means that 140,000 New Yorkers are paying 40 percent more for premiums this year. Taken together, these federal policies are poised to roll back more than a decade of progress in bringing affordable health coverage to New Yorkers.

To mitigate the worst impacts of these devastating federal cuts, Governor Hochul directed the Department of Health to return the Essential Plan to a Basic Health Program, a move that was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in March and will preserve coverage for 1.3 million New Yorkers for whom the program is a critical lifeline. As part of this request, New York had sought additional authority to smooth the transition for consumers losing coverage, including continuing cost-sharing reductions and extending the special enrollment period, however CMS denied these requests. The Department of Health will continue working with consumers as part of this transition to ensure they are aware of all available options and provide support and assistance in signing up for new coverage.

Reforming Prior Authorizations To Improve Patient Care

New Yorkers seeking timely medical care too often face delays, denials, or disruptions due to opaque insurance review processes, most notably prior authorizations. These processes require healthcare providers to obtain approval from insurers before delivering certain treatments, tests, or prescribing medications. While well intended to control costs and ensure appropriate care, prior authorization has increasingly become a barrier to treatment.

Governor Hochul will expand health care coverage protections for New Yorkers by reforming and creating more transparency in the prior authorization review process. Specifically, she will:

• Require formularies — the lists of medications covered by health insurance plans — to be posted not just publicly but clearly via a standard, accessible format.
• Ensure prior authorizations for designated chronic conditions remain valid longer so time isn’t wasted on unnecessary reviews for ongoing, stable treatments.
• Expand “continuity of care” — the period insurers must cover out-of-network treatment for new patients — from 60 days for life-threatening conditions or late-stage pregnancy to 90 days for all health conditions and the full postpartum period.
• Expand the data health insurers must report on their claims processes, including how often claims are subject to prior authorization and how often those requests are denied.
• Launch a public education campaign highlighting resources that help both consumers and providers navigate insurance challenges.

These reforms will improve access to care by removing unnecessary administrative burdens on providers and making sure critical care is neither delayed nor denied.

Improving Health Equity & Public Health and Improving Vital Records Access for New Yorkers

New York State maintains millions of vital records dating back to the 1800s, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, all requiring indefinite preservation and access. However, the current system for retrieving these records is out-of-date and inefficient, creating unacceptable delays and frustration for thousands of New Yorkers seeking their own records. Outdated manual processes and aging storage systems have created a mounting backlog.

Governor Hochul will make overdue technological improvements to the vital records system, launching an effort to digitize records for genealogical requests. Digitized vital records are significantly easier to search, retrieve, issue to requestors and protect from physical deterioration or disaster loss. This will help address the current backlog of over 12,000 genealogical records requests.

In addition, the Department of Health (DOH) will tackle the living records request backlog, and improve operational efficiency for future requests. This will directly reduce customer complaints related to long wait times and enhance customer service with more timely communication and responses.

Strengthening Cardiac Emergency Readiness Across New York State

Sudden cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of death in New York, and survival often depends on whether help arrives in the first critical minutes. While progress has been made in schools and youth programs, many communities still lack widespread CPR training and easy access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Governor Hochul will protect New Yorkers by implementing a multi-faceted proposal that equips communities around the state with the tools they need to effectively respond to cardiac emergencies and save lives.

The Governor’s plan will significantly strengthen cardiac emergency readiness statewide by building on a successful model pioneered at the University at Buffalo to establish regional training hubs and ensure communities know how to use AEDs and support new, scalable approaches to hands-only CPR education, focused on simple chest-compression techniques for bystanders.

The Governor will also modernize AED regulations to keep communities safe and create New York’s first statewide AED registry. This registry will map the precise location of every AED across the state, enabling emergency dispatchers to direct bystanders to the nearest device during cardiac events. The registry can be accessible to the public through a mobile application, so every New Yorker can access their nearest AED if needed. The Governor will also make investments in self-directed CPR-training kiosks and AED placements across the state.

Protecting Young New Yorkers From Harmful Alternative Nicotine Products

Alternative nicotine products like Zyn have proliferated in corner stores across the state, threatening to hook New Yorkers on harmful, highly addictive substances. Governor Hochul's plan requires that these dangerous products be treated like any other tobacco product through a new 75 percent tax on the wholesale price of alternative nicotine products, maintaining the same revenue stream while keeping barriers in place to prevent youth usage and supporting healthier care funding.

Classifying alternative nicotine products as tobacco products within the meaning of the Tax Law integrates these relatively new and largely unregulated nicotine products into the State’s tax administration and enforcement mechanisms.

Modernizing Pain Management Guidance and Care

New York has made significant progress in reducing overdose deaths, with provisional data showing approximately a 28 percent decline in 2024 compared to 2023 — the lowest level since before the pandemic. Despite this progress, New Yorkers continue to lose their lives to opioid use. The State’s progress reflects expanded harm reduction efforts, including broader access to naloxone and drug testing strips, and increased investment in prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

The health care system can play an important role by standardizing pain management approaches and updating clinical guidelines. Governor Hochul will direct the Department of Health to support providers as they balance effective pain relief with patient safety and ever evolving standards of care. The Department of Health will develop a comprehensive Pain Management and Drug Control Strategy focused on preventing opioid misuse, strengthening prescription oversight, and promoting best practices in pain management across the healthcare continuum.

Protecting Immunization Access

New York’s immunization policies rely on federal vaccine schedules that, under the current administration, are becoming less and less anchored in science. This creates uncertainty for schools, health care providers, and New Yorkers in general; it also puts the health of our communities at risk and, in some cases, increases patient costs.

To keep New Yorkers healthy and keep money in their pockets, Governor Hochul signed legislation to ensure New York can set its own immunization standards based on accepted medical science and public health needs. The legislation authorizes the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with recognized medical organizations, to establish immunization requirements that guide school eligibility, clinical practice, and insurance coverage. This will provide clarity for providers and insurers, protect access to vaccines, and strengthen public health statewide.

Protecting Summer Campers from Extreme Weather Threats

Summer camps should be places of joy and community, helping young New Yorkers create lifelong memories and friendship. But as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, summer camps across the state and country face growing risks from flooding, extreme heat, and other climate-related hazards that threaten the safety of children and staff.

In partnership with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and local health departments, Governor Hochul will direct the Department of Health to strengthen oversight and preparedness measures for camps at greatest risk, including those located in FEMA-designated floodplains. This effort will help camps to incorporate extreme weather readiness into their annual safety plans and ensure clear evacuation, sheltering, and communication protocols are in place. The State will also issue updated guidance and training to support local health departments in reviewing and enforcing these readiness measures. By improving preparedness before emergencies occur, New York will better protect children, and ensure families can trust that summer camps are equipped to respond to extreme weather events.

 

STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON THE 2026-27 NEW YORK STATE BUDGET

 

State Senator Gustavo Rivera (D, WF, 33rd District, The Bronx) joined his colleagues in the Senate Majority to vote for the 10 bills of the 2026 New York State Budget. Senator Rivera voted in favor of all of the bills, including Aid to Localities, Debt Service, Revenue, Capital Projects, State Operations, Legislature and Judiciary, Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation (TEDE), Public Protection and General Government (PPGG), Education, Labor, and Family Assistance (ELFA), and Health and Mental Hygiene (HMH).

BUDGET OVERVIEW

“The reckless actions of the Trump administration to defund critical programs across our state set the stage for a particularly difficult budget this year. I did not anticipate that it would be so delayed by non-monetary policy negotiations that have left us with a single week to conduct the people’s business as legislators. I am grateful to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, my Senate Majority colleagues, and our dedicated staff for patiently working to advance the priorities of working families and to combat the federal government’s attempts to disenfranchise our communities.”

“This year we focused on tough issues: defending our communities from violent immigration enforcement, safeguarding health facilities from lost federal dollars, and advancing long overdue policies like expanding childcare access, making more New Yorkers eligible for rent freeze programs, reforming Tier 6 pensions for hardworking New Yorkers, permanently carving out school-based health centers from managed care, and recalibrating Foundation Aid for our students. I remain certain that the budget process should exclusively focus on determining how we distribute our tax dollars and to ensure that everyone is paying their fair share, including the billionaires and wealthy corporations that build their fortunes here, not just those keeping their heads above water. Significant policy discussions should happen in the legislative chambers, not as bargaining chips for a $268 billion budget.”

HEALTH

“It is deeply concerning that we did not address the imminent loss of healthcare coverage facing more than a million New Yorkers that are subscribed to the Essential Plan starting July 1, 2026. My bill S.9589 would have addressed this issue by allowing these individuals to keep their coverage with the $2.4 billion that the Governor wisely appropriated in her initial proposal. It was the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans that created this crisis but as a state, we have a responsibility to find solutions to mitigate the devastating impact of these cuts. 

On the other hand, we secured some significant victories including permanently carving School Based Health Centers (SBHC) out of Medicaid managed care. This long overdue measure will ensure the financial viability of SBHCs, which serve approximately 250,000 children in their schools across our State. 

When it comes to the Medical Indemnity Fund (MIF), we are extending the MIF by one year with no reimbursement rate cuts. However, I recognize that this is not enough. I will work to address this critical fund’s solvency and help families that depend on the fund now through my legislation to establish an ombudsman (S3364). 

Further, I'm proud that we secured important Medicaid rate increases for our hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and Federally Qualified Health Centers through the MCO tax. While temporary, these increases will go a long way to support our already financially challenged healthcare system. We also provide funding for distressed hospitals, community health programs, and the healthcare workforce serving New Yorkers across the state.

IMMIGRATION

 

“After the federal government’s continued attacks on our communities, I am proud that we rose to the occasion to fight back and protect New Yorkers with a suite of protections against the lawless actions of immigration enforcement thugs in our state.

This budget prohibits 287g agreements, which allow state and local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with the federal government in immigration enforcement. It also restricts state and local governments from collecting, sharing, or inquiring about immigration-related information, and limits the sharing of certain information with federal immigration authorities.

Public schools are now prohibited from sharing student information with federal immigration authorities or allowing immigration agents access to non-public school property without a judicial warrant. The budget also requires schools and daycares to establish custody procedures for situations where a parent or guardian is detained by immigration authorities.

Additionally, the legislation protects the rights of private businesses and organizations to deny immigration authorities access to private areas without a judicial warrant. I’m proud that my team has educated more than 870 businesses in my district about this right and provided signs to post in their places of business.

Another important measure bans law enforcement agents from covering their faces while interacting with the public, helping ensure accountability and preventing abuses of power.

These measures respond to real-life situations affecting families, neighbors, and New Yorkers across our state. These policies are designed to strengthen community safety and protection to uphold the rights enshrined in our constitution while the trump administration attacks them. We will continue fighting for all of the protections in the New York for All legislation. But it is important to celebrate these victories to steel ourselves for the battles ahead.

HOUSING

“In a big win for our tenants, I’m incredibly proud that we increased the income eligibility for rent and property freeze programs, SCRIE, DRIE, SCHE and DHE, from $50,000 to $75,000 for the first time since 2014. My office has helped thousands of Bronxites to enroll in these critical housing programs.This eligibility expansion will help more New Yorkers afford to stay in their homes and their communities.”

TAX THE RICH

"While the pied-à-terre tax included in this year’s budget is an important first step, we could and should have done more to make billionaires and wealthy corporations pay their fair share. New York is home to the highest concentration of wealth in the country, yet our tax system coddles them while making working class New Yorkers foot the bill.

We are experiencing a very serious affordability crisis and a federal budget shortfall, so we cannot relent in our efforts to raise more revenue to help New Yorkers stay in our state. The fight is not over and we will try again next year.”

CHILDCARE AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE

Steep childcare costs continue to be a main driver of the high cost of living for millions of families across New York State. The Senate recognized this necessity and fought to increase funding by $400 million for a total of $2.2 billion statewide for increased access to affordable childcare. 

The lack of affordable childcare is one of the main drivers behind young families leaving our State. This year’s budget finally provides funding to implement a full statewide Universal Pre-K program beginning in the 2028-29 school year. 

This budget also expands universal childcare in New York City to all three year olds and begins a phase-in of universal childcare for two year olds starting this fall, with all two year olds covered by 2029. I want to thank New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his powerful leadership on behalf of our City’s families.

In response to cuts to federally funded nutrition assistance programs, this year’s budget provides an increase to the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program, which will help families navigate the benefit eligibility and application process for SNAP and other food programs. I’m also pleased that we included $138 million in emergency food assistance, which is a $25 million increase over last year.

SENATE DISTRICT 33 FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS:



•    BronxNet: $200,000
•    Astor Services for Children and Families: $75,000
•    Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortland Development Corporation: $140,000
•    Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale Foundation, Inc: $200,000
•    Bronx Chamber of Commerce: $150,000

DEC ANNOUNCES FREE PUBLIC FISHING EVENTS FOR WORLD FISH MIGRATION DAY ON MAY 30

 

Twelve Family-Friendly Educational Activities Will Highlight the Importance of Fish Migration and Healthy Waterways

New Yorkers Encouraged to ‘Get Offline and Get Outside’ at Multiple Hudson River and New York Harbor Sites 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced a series of free public fishing events on May 30 in celebration of World Fish Migration Day. The family-friendly educational activities will take place at 12 locations across the Lower Hudson River and New York Harbor. World Fish Migration Day is a global celebration to raise awareness about migratory fish species and the communities and ecosystems that depend on them. 

“On World Fish Migration Day, DEC and our partner organizations offer an opportunity for New Yorkers to see migrating fish up close and learn about our efforts to protect and preserve their habitat,” DEC’s Hudson River Programs Coordinator Heather Gierloff said. “DEC encourages families to get outside on May 30 and discover the rich diversity of fish and wildlife that inhabit the waters of the Hudson River and New York Harbor region.” 

DEC is partnering with organizations throughout the Lower Hudson and New York Harbor to host special activities that highlight local marine life and habitat conservation. Participants will have opportunities to learn about local fish species, migration patterns, river ecology, and community science efforts taking place throughout the estuary. The events are organized by the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program. 

Each spring the Hudson River is alive with migratory fish species that are drawn into the protective waters of the estuary as part of their spawning cycle. World Fish Migration Day is a global celebration to create awareness about the importance of migratory fish and free-flowing rivers. 

Events take place on Saturday, May 30 unless otherwise noted and event times vary by site. 

Manhattan 

• Seining, Fort Washington Park Beach, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
• Seining, Randall's Island Park, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. 
• Wetlab Open, Rod & Reel, Minnow Pots, Hudson River Park Pier 40*, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. *Please note this event will take place on June 6   

Brooklyn 

• Seining, Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 4, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., Register to attend  
• Seining, Shirley Chisholm State Park,10:00 a.m. - noon  

Queens 

• Eel Mop, Oyster Cages, Biodiversity Survey, Gantry Plaza State Park, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Rod & Reel, Rockaways Ferry Terminal, noon - 3:00 p.m.  

Staten Island 

• Seining, Lemon Creek Park, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
• Oyster Cages, Stapleton Waterfront Park, 10:00 a.m. - noon  

Lower Hudson 

• Seining, Sarah Lawrence Center for the Urban River at Beczak,10:00 a.m. - noon 
• Seining, LDEO Hudson River Field Station, noon - 4:00 p.m. 
• Seining, Little Stony Point, Hudson Highlands State Park, 3:00 p.m.  

Additional information on participating sites and activities is available through Lower Hudson and Harbor Fish Count.

Mayor Mamdani, New York Road Runners Announce Open Registration for 2K for 2-K Event

 

Free family event at Fort Tryon Park on June 7 will celebrate launch of 2-K and encourage families to apply

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City, announced that registration is now open for 2K for 2-K, a new free, family-friendly event celebrating the launch of the Mamdani administration’s historic 2-K program and encouraging families to apply for a seat this fall.

The 2K for 2-K event, along with accompanying youth dashes and a family festival, will take place June 7 at 8 a.m. in Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan. The event is open to the public through registration on the NYRR website. Capacity is limited, and registration will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition to the 2-kilometer (1.2 mile) family run and walk for participants ages 2 and older, the event will feature short dashes for children ages 2 to 11, as well as games and activities for families.

2-K is the City’s answer to the child care affordability crisis, delivering free, full-day, full-year quality child care to New York City families. In partnership with Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Mamdani announced the launch of 2-K on the eighth day of his administration. Families in the initial four 2-K communities have until June 26 to apply at myschools.nyc.

“This January, we drew the starting line for universal child care. Later this summer, the first 2,000 families will receive life-changing offers for free, full-day, full-year child care for their 2-year-olds. But this work is a marathon, not a sprint. We are building a city where every family, no matter where they live or how much money they earn, has access to the care they need to build a life in New York City,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This race is about bringing families together to raise awareness about 2-K, and giving New York’s cutest the running start they deserve.”

“New York Road Runners is proud to continue our enduring partnership with the city of New York and welcome families from across the five boroughs to run, walk, and celebrate the launch of 2-K together,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. “This event embodies our vision as a nonprofit to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running and we look forward to seeing the next generation of runners and New Yorkers on the start line.”

New York Road Runners produces 60 adult and youth races annually, including the TCS New York City Marathon, and provides free year-round youth and community programming like Rising New York Road Runners. The nonprofit’s running-based youth program serves 200,000 students nationwide, including 100,000 students in New York City. Throughout the year, NYRR hosts more than 20 free Rising New York Road Runners youth events, including its marquee event, the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff. The 2K for 2-K event expands the nonprofit’s decades-long partnership with the City.

In February, Mayor Mamdani launched a 2-K request for information, and last month, announced that most 2-K seats would operate on a full-day and full-year schedule. Earlier this month, the Administration partnered with Bronx-born rapper Cardi B to host a 2-K jingle contest, with the winner to be announced later this summer.

The Mayor and Governor announced the first four communities to receive 2000 free 2-K seats in March. 

WORST OF THE WORST: ICE Arrests Murderers, Pedophiles, and Robbers

Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of more despicable criminal illegal aliens across the country, with criminal histories that include convictions for voluntary manslaughter, sexual assault of a child under 14 years old, attempted sexual battery on a child less than 12 years old, selling a person for immoral purpose, and attempted robbery.

“While sanctuary politicians continue to smear ICE law enforcement, our officers continue to put their lives on the line to make America safe again. Yesterday, our law enforcement arrested murderers, pedophiles, and robbers,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “As our officers arrest the worst of the worst, they are facing coordinated campaigns of violence against them, including a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats.” 

Yesterday’s arrests include:

Kha Ngoc Le, a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam, convicted for voluntary manslaughter, disorderly conduct, street robbery with a gun, burglary, resident robbery with a weapon, and burglary-forced entry in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Andres Espinosa-Reyna, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for sexual assault of a child under 14 years old in Harris County, Texas.

Jose Ordonez-Mendez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted for attempted sexual battery on a child less than 12 years old in Boynton Beach, Florida.

Sharon Cristina Cruz-Wences, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicting for selling a person for immoral purpose in Bakersfield, California.

Edgar Velasquez-Ortiz, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for attempted robbery in the District of Columbia.

Americans can see more public safety threats arrested in their communities on our webpage WOW.DHS.Gov.

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Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Influence Major International Sports Competition by Doping

 

Paul Alexander Askew (46, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to influence major international sports competitions by doping. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, beginning on or about July 10, 2023, and continuing through to on or about January 31, 2024, Askew conspired with a professional track and field athlete and at least one other person to provide the athlete with testosterone, a banned substance, to improve the athlete’s performances at major international track and field competitions. The doping was ongoing during the athlete’s competitions in the 2023 Ed Murphey Classic, in Memphis, Tennessee; the 2023 Xiamen Diamond League, in China; and the 2023 Prefontaine Classic, in Eugene, Oregon. Although the doping conspiracy was revealed before the athlete could compete in other competitions, Askew and the athlete also intended to use illegal testosterone injections to improve the athlete’s performance at the 2024 American Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, the 2024 United States Olympics Trials, and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

This case was investigated by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

Dual Iranian-Iraqi National Indicted for Providing Material Support to Terrorist Organizations

 

Al-Saadi Was Allegedly Involved in Nearly 20 Attacks and Attempted Attacks Throughout Europe and the United States That Included Extensive International Planning, Coordination, and Radicalization

The Justice Department today announced an eight-count indictment charging Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, a dual Iranian-Iraqi national, with terrorism-related offenses for his activities as an operative of Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), two U.S. designated foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), including his involvement in nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks throughout Europe and the United States. 

“As alleged in this indictment, Al-Saadi has been directly involved in terrorist operations and military decisions to attack U.S. and Israeli interests across the world and conspired with others to plan deadly attacks on American soil,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Now that he has been removed from his perch as an alleged commander of Kata’ib Hizballah with close ties to the Iranian regime and its proxies around the world, we look forward to vigorously prosecuting him under American law in an American courtroom.”

“As alleged, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi worked with Iranian-backed terrorist organizations to direct successful attacks that targeted civilians and attempted to target civilians in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York.  “Al-Saadi claims to be part of the ‘resistance,’ a group that includes the IRGC, an Iran-based designated foreign terrorist organization.  These organizations have a stated goal of destroying our society and our collective commitment to freedom, security, and a better world for our children.  The IRGC’s claims are not just rhetoric, they are taking action around the world to undermine America and American values.  All Americans should recognize that we have sworn enemies and when your enemies tell you something, and when they act, you should know that they mean it.  For over 40 years, Iranian-backed groups, including the IRGC, have been committed to bringing terror to our shores, and our Office is proud to join with our colleagues across the Justice Department, the FBI, the NYPD, and many other partners to bring these groups to justice.”

“The FBI’s successful FTOC of Mohammad Al-Saadi, another high-value target responsible for mass global terrorism, is just the latest success in this administration’s historic work to bring terrorists to justice,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This was a righteous mission executed brilliantly by our agents, investigators, CIRG tactical units, interagency partners and our allies around the world who delivered yet again.  This FBI will use our vast resources to detect and stop acts of terrorism and will work with our Justice Department partners to make sure those who engage in such actions are held accountable.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and other public court filings, Al-Saadi, a longtime operative of Kata’ib Hizballah and the IRGC, has furthered the terrorist goals of those groups since at least in or about 2017. Al-Saadi allegedly has worked closely with senior leaders of both terrorist organizations and, following U.S. airstrikes killing certain of those terrorist leaders, has directed others to exact retribution by killing U.S. citizens and U.S. political and military leaders. In addition, as alleged, in recent months, Al-Saadi has helped plan and direct approximately 18 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe on behalf of those terrorist organizations (the “European Terrorist Attacks”). Those attacks were carried out in the name of a purportedly new terrorist group with the pseudonym Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, which is actually a front of Kata’ib Hizballah and other U.S. designated FTOs.

In addition, in or about March and April 2026, Al-Saadi attempted to carry out attacks in the United States, including against a synagogue in New York, New York. Most recently, on or about April 30, Al-Saadi tried to find someone in the United States who could carry out a terrorist attack and kill or injure individuals here. Specifically, that day Al-Saadi called an individual in the United States (SOI-1) and asked if SOI-1 knew someone who could “attack” in the United States, including by “burning, . . . or whatever he can,” including “killing.”  The next day, however, Al-Saadi, who was based in Iraq, was detained while traveling abroad.

On or about May 14, Al-Saadi was transferred into the custody of the FBI and transported to the United States, where he was brought to the Southern District of New York. Several electronic devices that Al-Saadi had been traveling with, including an Apple iPhone (the “Al-Saadi Phone”), were also transferred into the custody of the FBI. While in FBI custody en route to the United States, Al-Saadi waived his Miranda rights and voluntarily made statements to U.S. law enforcement agents. Al-Saadi stated, in substance and in part, that he was a leader of “the resistance,” which he explained encompasses the IRGC and its proxies, including Kata’ib Hizballah, Hizballah, and the Houthis, all of which are U.S. designated foreign terrorist organizations. As part of his role in “the resistance,” Al-Saadi stated that he was in charge of media and psychological warfare, including against the United States, as well as strategy and military intelligence. Al-Saadi was also responsible for media for Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, as part of his role handling media for the “resistance.” Al-Saadi explained that the propaganda videos of the European Terrorist Attacks were part of the “psychological warfare” that “the resistance” was waging against the United States, designed to instill fear and terror in civilians. 

Al-Saadi also described his close relationships with the current and former leadership of the IRGC.  Al-Saadi said he was like a son of Qasem Soleimani, the longtime commander of the IRGC Quds Force (IRGC-QF) who was killed during a U.S. airstrike in or about 2020. According to Al-Saadi, prior to Soleimani’s death, Al-Saadi constantly traveled with him and was supposed to be driving Soleimani to meet Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, then the leader of Kata’ib Hizballah, the day that Soleimani and al-Muhandis were killed in a U.S. airstrike.  Al-Saadi further stated that he was also close with Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Al-Saadi explained that approximately three days before the current conflict with Iran began on or about Feb. 28 and Khamenei was killed, Al-Saadi met with Khamenei in Iran.

Al-Saadi’s social media accounts and the Al-Saadi Phone also contain evidence of Al-Saadi’s allegedly longstanding role supporting the IRGC, Kata’ib Hizballah, and Hizballah, as well as of his direct involvement in the planning, execution, and promotion of the European Terrorist Attacks.

For example, the Al-Saadi phone contains videos and photos of Al-Saadi meeting with the leadership of the IRGC, Kata’ib Hizballah, and the Houthis; images glorifying the IRGC and Hizballah; and videos and photos reflecting Al-Saadi’s own role as a commander in Kata’ib Hizballah, with access to machineguns and other dangerous weapons, including a video of Al-Saadi meeting with Soleimani (the former leader of the IRGC-QF) and Akram ‘Abbas al-Kabi (a U.S.-designated terrorist and one of the main operatives in Iraq of the IRGC-QF) in what appears to be an underground operations center. Below are screenshots from the video, showing (i) from left to right, al-Kabi, Soleimani, and Al-Saadi together, and (ii) other individuals in the same room dressed in military uniforms.

Another photo, shown below, from on or about Feb. 12, 2024, of Al-Saadi standing in front of an array of machineguns in a conference room that Al-Saadi, in his post-arrest interview, stated was located in a building that at the time was used for “military intelligence” for “the resistance.” The room has a map on the wall of what appears to be the United States accompanied by a list of “legitimate targets” (redacted here) identifying a number of prominent former and current U.S. officials.

Al-Saadi’s social media accounts and the Al-Saadi Phone also contain evidence of Al-Saadi’s role in the planning, execution, and promotion of the European Terrorist Attacks. Al-Saadi participated in FaceTime calls with attackers as they were carrying out certain of the European Terrorist Attacks in real time, filmed those attacks as they were being conducted, helped create and disseminate propaganda videos of the attacks, discussed with a Kata’ib Hizballah member the need to engage in “psychological warfare” and the timing for certain of the attacks, and warned the Kata’ib Hizballah member about an attacker who had been arrested.

For example, on or about April 14, Al-Saadi received on an encrypted messaging application videos of two men dressed in hazmat suits, with the Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya logo taped to each suit, and a drone that appears to have two vials of white powder attached to it.  Screenshots from these videos are shown below. The content of these videos is consistent with the propaganda video that Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya posted on Telegram on or about April 16, 2026, in which it claimed that its members had attacked the Israeli Embassy in London using drones that were loaded with dangerous carcinogenic and radioactive materials. 

A video from on or about April 18 — the day of one of the European Terrorist Attacks against a synagogue in London — of Al-Saadi and approximately three or four other men on a FaceTime video call. The video call is projected onto a large screen against the background of the Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyah logo. Al-Saadi is recording the attack through the call. In the video, one of the men, in English, instructs the individual on the other end of the call to execute the attack, directing that individual to take a lighter and “light one in your hand,” “light it” and “throw the fourth one.” Below is a screenshot from the video, with Al-Saadi, filming the attack, circled in red: 

The Al-Saadi Phone also contains evidence that the European Terrorist Attacks were conducted on behalf of and in coordination with Kata’ib Hizballah and related terrorist organizations, and that Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya was just a front of those organizations. For example, one of Al-Saadi’s primary phone contacts is a member of Kata’ib Hizballah (the “Kata’ib Hizballah Contact”), with whom Al-Saadi was constantly in touch during the European Terrorist Attacks. Al-Saadi exchanged with the Kata’ib Hizballah Contact propaganda videos of certain of the European Terrorist Attacks, which Al-Saadi instructed the Kata’ib Hizballah Contact to post on news outlets. In doing so, Al-Saadi explained that “[t]he most important thing is that within the psychological warfare, they [referring to Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya’s messages] are useful,” and that “anything that distracts the enemy is useful.”  For example, on or about April 29, 2026 — the day two Jewish men, including a dual U.S.-British citizen, were stabbed in London in one of the European Terrorist Attacks — Al-Saadi instructed the Kata’ib Hizballah Contact to “post it in the news[,] important,” referring to video footage of that attack, including a propaganda video that Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya posted on Telegram in which it claimed credit for that attack. That same day, Al-Saadi sent the following message to the Kata’ib Hizballah Contact:  “If God grants us success tonight, there will be a shooting at a restaurant.”  Al-Saadi, however, was detained shortly after he sent that message.

Al-Saadi, 32, of Iraq and Iran, has been charged with: (i) conspiring to provide material support to Kata’ib Hizballah, a foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; (ii) conspiring to provide material support to the IRGC, a foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; (iii) conspiring to provide material support for acts of terrorism, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison; (iv) providing material support for acts of terrorism, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison; (v) attempted acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, (vi) conspiring to bomb a place of public use, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; (vii) attempted destruction of property by means of fire or explosive, which carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and (viii) financing terrorism, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

The statutory maximum and mandatory minimum penalties are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, and the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterterrorism Division investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section, the Office of International Affairs of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the NYPD, and the New York State Police. 

This prosecution is being handled by the National Security and International Narcotics Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey W. Coyle and Sarah L. Kushner for the Southern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney James Donnelly of the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

NYC Comptroller’s Office Announces Partnership with the Hebrew Free Loan Society to Expand Access to Zero-Interest Loans for Small Businesses

 

HFLS commits $8 million in interest-free capital to support small businesses across all five boroughs

The New York City Comptroller’s Office today announced a new partnership with  Hebrew Free Loan Society (HFLS) to expand access to zero-interest loans for small businesses across the five boroughs—providing critical support for neighborhood entrepreneurs who continue to face barriers to affordable capital. 

Hebrew Free Loan Society is one of New York City’s oldest nonprofit lenders, founded in 1892 to provide interest-free loans to New Yorkers in need of access to safe capital. Today, HFLS, a nonsectarian organization, supports small businesses and entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or immigration status, by offering affordable, no-interest loans that help owners start, sustain, and grow their businesses across the five boroughs.   

Through this initiative, HFLS has committed to making $8 million in interest-free loans available citywide to qualifying low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and small businesses in New York City. Eligible entrepreneurs will be able to access loans of up to $60,000 at zero-interest, offering a vital alternative to high-interest debt and predatory lending that too often burden small business owners seeking to expand, hire, or stabilize operations. This marks the largest allocation HFLS has ever dedicated to small business lending in a single year. As part of this partnership, HFLS will prioritize businesses located in neighborhoods with high storefront vacancy rates and historically marginalized areas.  

“Since my days leading a credit union in Washington Heights, I’ve seen the power and lasting economic and social impact that providing access to capital can have on a business and a community. This incredible partnership between my office and the Hebrew Free Loan Society will deliver $8 million in interest-free support to small businesses of all kinds across the city,” said City Comptroller Mark Levine. “The positive return on investment these loans will have for our entire economy is overwhelmingly evident. I encourage any eligible small business looking to establish, sustain or grow their footprint in New York City to apply for these loans.”  

“We know how hard it can be for lower-income entrepreneurs to find capital to start or expand a business. For more than a century, the Hebrew Free Loan Society has been a source of opportunity for New Yorkers pursuing the dream of business ownership, and we are proud to partner with Comptroller Levine’s office to ensure that hundreds more small businesses will secure the funding they need to play their part in building New York City’s diverse and dynamic economy,” said Rabbi David Rosenn, President and CEO of the Hebrew Free Loan Society. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of every neighborhood in New York City, and with credit tight and interest rates high, we’re proud to offer an interest-free option designed to meet the needs of mom and pop small businesses in every borough.” 

This partnership builds on a successful model and partnership first advanced by Comptroller Mark Levine during his tenure as Manhattan Borough President, when that office partnered with HFLS to broaden access to affordable capital for local businesses underserved by traditional financial institutions.  

Small businesses are a major economic driver for the Big Apple’s communities, providing jobs, economic activity, and revenue, while enlivening commercial corridors. But entrepreneurs without generational wealth, traditional collateral, or longstanding banking relationships continue to face persistent structural barriers in accessing affordable financing. 

The HFLS lending model has long supported minority- and women-owned businesses, immigrant entrepreneurs, and community-based establishments throughout New York City. By offering interest-free loans and pairing financing with relationship-based support, HFLS has helped businesses expand operations, purchase equipment, hire staff, manage cash flow, and weather periods of uncertainty. 

For more information about interest-free loans for NYC small businesses and how to apply, visit HFLS.org/small-business.