U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams and Central New York Republican state Assembly members called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to convene a special session to deal with the influx of migrants.
This comes as New York City Mayor Eric Adams last week used stark language, warning the migrant issue could "destroy" the city amid ballooning costs.
"My office, we have pursued everything we can at the federal level," Williams said, saying action is needed at the state level.
Republicans say legislative action needs to be taken.
"One very easy thing that we could be doing is accounting for how this money could be spent. $1.5 billion is nothing to roll your eyes at, and if it gets higher, we have, how is that money being spent? We have no accountability," said state Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay.
Assembly Republicans have introduced several measures that they believe will address the situation. They want to ensure funding is not used to shelter migrants in schools, day care centers or community-based organizations. They have also introduced a bill requiring that the state register all migrants to assist with background checks (A.7319-A).
Hochul has said she is working through options like a potential special session.