Temporarily housing migrants at State University of New York campuses is increasingly unlikely as Gov. Kathy Hochul has de-emphasized the idea in recent weeks and voters in a Siena College poll signaled their opposition. 

Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Pat Fahy this week said she does not expect housing for migrants at SUNY campuses is still likely. 

"My sense is that is not the path the governor's office will be looking at," Fahy said. 

Thousands of migrants have entered New York as a pandemic-era immigration order has lapsed. Mayor Eric Adams last month moved migrants to some upstate communities with people staying in hotels paid for by New York City. 

Housing still remains a challenge, however, especially for those migrants who are seeking asylum status in the United States. Democratic officials in New York have urged President Joe Biden's administration to fast-track work permits for asylum seekers. 

"That's going to make the difference because then they can go out and get their own housing and stabilize their own lives," Fahy said. 

Hochul earlier this year ordered a review of government-owned properties in New York that could serve as housing for migrants, including former psychiatric centers as well as SUNY campuses. Republican elected officials opposed any effort to place migrants on campuses during the summer, and Hochul herself acknowledged it would only be a temporarily solution. 

New York has sought federal aid to address a variety of needs for migrants from the federal government. So far, those requests have not been filled. The state budget in May set aside $1 billion to aid the response to the arrival of migrants. 

As spring has turned to summer, Hochul has publicly spoken of the idea in the past tense. Last week, she told reporters at an unrelated news conference a SUNY housing plan was still possible, but added there are other options, including Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. 

"If we get into a situation where we can't handle the flow, we can relook at SUNY campuses," she said. "But that was part of my effort months ago when I said let's get a survey of all state lands."

On Thursday, SUNY Chancellor John King told Spectrum News 1 in an interview the higher education system remained supportive of aiding migrants. He added no final decision has been made. 

"We're clear at SUNY that we make sure we are supporting the state in tackling this really difficult humanitarian crisis," King said. 

The influx of migrants has led to a polarizing debate in the U.S. A Siena College poll this week found 54% of voters opposed migrant housing at SUNY. A 46% plurality opposed Adams' plan to move them upstate. Pollster Steve Greenberg said it's tough to determine how deep a concern migrant policy is for voters. 

"It's not clear how strong an issue this is in terms of we know voters have strong sentiments about the issue," he said. "But the question is how deeply do they feel about it? That's something we're not sure about yet."