Rep. Elise Stefanik questions New York Gov. Kathy Hochul during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing, Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Stefanik, who is considering a potential gubernatorial run, then proceeded to quiz Hochul on several recent high-profile cases in New York, but the Democratic governor drew a blank.
Hochul did not recognize the name of Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who was charged with setting a sleeping woman on fire on a New York City subway in December 2024. The victim, 57-year-old Debrina Kawam, was reportedly homeless. Zapeta-Calil was reportedly deported in 2018 and illegally re-entered the U.S.
"Do you know who Sebastian Zapeta-Calil is?" Stefanik asked Hochul.
Hochul responded, "I'm sure you'll tell me. There's many cases…."
"These are high-profile cases," Stefanik interjected. "New Yorkers know about them, and you don’t. So let's talk about Sebastian Zapeta-Calil. Do you know who that is?"
"I don't have the specific details at my disposal, no," Hochul said.
Stefanik continued, "Well, this is an illegal migrant in New York because of your sanctuary state policies. Do you know what crime he committed?"
"I’m not familiar at this moment," Hochul admitted.
Stefanik responded, "I bet you’re going to be familiar when I remind you. He found a sleeping woman on the subway, lit her on fire and burned her alive."
Illegal immigrant rape suspect Wilson Castillo Diaz is pictured in an Oct. 22, 2024, mugshot provided by the Nassau County Police Department. (Nassau County Police)
Stefanik again pressed Hochul on whether she knew who Wilson Castillo Diaz was, but the governor responded, "I’m telling you this, we do cooperate fully with ICE in criminal prosecutions."
The congresswoman shot back, "You’re not advocating on behalf of these victims."
Police in Nassau County, New York, arrested Castillo Diaz, another illegal immigrant, in October 2024 for allegedly raping a 5-year-old girl.
"You are shielding illegals," Stefanik told Hochul. "That is rapes of young girls, beatings of NYPD cops by illegals who are here under Kathy Hochul's failed policies, burning New Yorkers alive. This is Kathy Hochul's New York. It's one of the many reasons why you're hemorrhaging support from hard-working New York families."
The governor said those were "horrific crimes," but Stefanik interjected.
"They're horrific crimes that are committed on your watch," Stefanik said. "You sign this executive order on your first day in office. You sign it again and again this January. We deserve a governor who stands up for law-abiding New Yorkers, doesn't put illegals first, but actually puts New Yorkers first."
Hochul said the state does cooperate with federal law enforcement on criminal matters and said Stefanik's "representation of the facts is absolutely false."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The governor also accused Stefanik of trying to create a "viral moment," but the congresswoman asserted, "I'm standing up for New Yorkers."
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hochul-fails-recall-illegal-aliens-charged-high-profile-criminal-cases-including-womans-subway-burning