Backlash is mounting over a new migrant shelter in Queens housing hundreds of single men.

“Obviously we’re not thrilled about it. The school is right here, our kids are right here," said Aryaa Foster, whose daughter attends Our World Neighborhood Charter School in Astoria. She said the shelter is too close to young kids.

What You Need To Know

  • Astoria residents told NY1 that busloads of people arrived at a building on 35th Avenue last month, but the Mayor’s Office gave no warning

  • Volunteers at the shelter said there are roughly 250 beds inside to accommodate single male migrants

  • According to City Hall, there are roughly 46,000 migrants currently in the city’s care, and 2,200 migrants reportedly arrived last week alone

“It’s just a bunch of men with no background checks on them so that’s really the biggest thing," said Foster. "We have girls here. Safety is the biggest concern.”

Astoria residents told NY1 that busloads of people arrived at a building on 35th Avenue last month, but the Mayor’s Office gave no warning. Volunteers at the shelter said there are roughly 250 beds inside to accommodate single male migrants.

“Now that I’m hearing that it’s men, rather than men and women, it’s giving me a bit more concern now," said Philippe Jean-Jacques, whose granddaughter goes to OWNCS. “My eyes will be more open to the neighborhood.”

Queens is home to more than two million people and it’s also the most diverse county in the United States, with roughly 47% of its population born outside the country.

“They’re human beings, we all are. They’re not criminals, they’re all good people," said Sean Clancey, whose son goes to daycare near the shelter. "I’m pretty sure they want to escape for a better life. We all come from somewhere, we all originate from somewhere, we’re all over the world so we should all coexist.”

Earlier this week, the city also opened a new temporary shelter for adult migrants in Harlem. Some New Yorkers say the city is woefully unprepared for this influx.

“It wasn’t prepared at all,” aid Lewis Ranchor. His wife is a teacher at OWNCS. “What are you gonna do? You gotta feel sorry for them, but you can’t interrupt everyone else’s life too.”

In the meantime, parents like Foster said they hope this shelter is temporary and that the city will find better places to house migrants.

“Honestly, I just think they should move it away from this school. It’s literally opposite the school. Even if it was a few blocks away and not in the direct vicinity that would help," said Foster.

According to City Hall, there are roughly 46,000 migrants currently in the city’s care. And 2,200 migrants reportedly arrived last week alone.