The top Republican in the  New York state Senate on Thursday in a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul raised concerns with plans to potentially house migrants north of New York City at State University of New York campuses as well as hotels and motels. 

Separately, a group of Democratic lawmakers in a different letter to Hochul called on her to consider as many dormitories at SUNY campuses as possible in addressing the housing issue. 

The two letters underscore the divergent concerns for lawmakers from both parties as Hochul's administration grapples with the influx of people into the state. 

Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt in the letter to the governor urged her to consider alternative sites, including convention centers. 

“Instead of housing migrants in public schools in New York City, disrupting childrens’ school days, placing them on SUNY campuses, or housing them in hotels or motels around the state, I urge your administration to look into housing migrants in convention centers and similar venues within New York City as you did during the COVID pandemic," Ortt wrote in the letter. "This is a common sense solution to this crisis, as many of these venues exist throughout New York City. Convention centers and similar venues have the resources and services on premises to handle a large number of people without displacing others."

Democratic state Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, meanwhile, announced her own letter to Hochul with Assemblymember Jonathan Rivera to use as many SUNY dorms as possible. 

"New York state has a long history of embracing migrants from around the world in search of a better life," the lawmakers wrote. "Although we are facing challenges never before seen or imagined, it is our responsibility to rise to the occasion and ensure that everyone in our state is provided with appropriate housing." 

Hochul on Wednesday told reporters the state is considering a variety of venues for migrant housing, including SUNY campuses, former psychiatric centers and other state-owned properties. A decision is coming soon as to where migrants will be placed as New York City continues to struggle with the number of people arriving daily following the expiration of a pandemic-era immigration order. 

"There's a sense of urgency, so we'll be announcing very soon and offering to the mayor which sites," Hochul said. "We have to make sure they all work, the timing works, the students are gone and then we'll be able to talk to the mayor and his team about what views they have."

The situation has resulted in a series of legal challenges to efforts by New York City Mayor Eric Adams to move migrants voluntarily outside of the city. County officials have announced emergency orders meant to bar migrants from coming to their communities, while lawsuits have also been filed against Adams' plan. 

New York this month set aside $1 billion to address the migrant situation in New York City, less than a third of what Adams has said is needed. 

Hochul and New York officials have also urged President Biden's administration to expedite the process for migrants to be permitted to work while in New York.