Mayor Eric Adams is taking steps to shut down emergency migrant shelters in New York City and five upstate counties due to a significant decrease in the number of people arriving.
The Adams administration is searching for alternate sites to accommodate the 1,800 asylum seekers currently residing in the Floyd Bennett Field tent complex. They fear that the incoming Trump administration may cancel the federal lease for the complex.
Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, Anne Williams-Isom, emphasized the commitment to safeguarding those in need.
President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar expresses his intention to meet with Adams in order to discuss the migrant crisis. This has raised concerns for the Legal Aid Society, as they fear that Floyd Bennett Field could potentially become a target for immigration raids.
Stephanie Rudolph expressed the stance of the Legal Aid Society, emphasizing their desire for the closure of the site and the relocation of families. The Legal Aid Society’s ideal scenario entails finding housing options close to their children’s schools to avoid completely uprooting them from their neighborhood.
Far fewer migrants arriving in New York
In the week of Nov. 18-24, the number of migrants entering New York has decreased significantly. Only 400 individuals entered the shelter system during this time, while 1,200 people were able to leave. This is a stark contrast to the situation in January, when the city was receiving approximately 4,000 new asylum seekers every week. The reduction in the number of migrants entering New York reflects a significant shift in the migration patterns and challenges faced by the city.
According to Williams-Isom, it has been approximately 20 weeks since the census began and she believes that the number of participants has been decreasing. As a result, they have been strategizing to gradually close down sites.
New York City has recently taken the decision to close down 11 shelters, resulting in the closure of 1,800 rooms. Among the affected establishments are the Americana Inn on West 38th Street in Manhattan, the Voyage Hotel in Long Island City, and the Hotel RL in Brooklyn.
The closure of Randall’s Island, home to about 2,000 migrants, will result in significant cost savings for the city.
According to Williams-Isom, the significant achievement lies in the impressive savings of over $2 billion. “That’s the real story here,” she emphasized. They will concentrate on managing the crisis effectively and successfully executing the downsizing going forward.
Plans are underway to shut down hotels in Albany, Dutchess, Erie, Orange, and Westchester counties in upstate New York. These hotels are currently accommodating around 900 asylum seekers.