With buses of migrants coming to New York almost daily, the city is struggling to comply with its right-to-shelter law.
About 60 men had to wait until the next day to get a bed Monday night, according to the Legal Aid Society.
The welcoming attitude the Adams’ administration has shown to the thousands of migrants sent in buses from Texas is now taking the system to a breaking point.
What You Need To Know
- Mayor Eric Adams asked for prior practices regarding shelter to be reassessed
- Thousands of migrants have come in buses from Texas since May
- The shelter system has already taken in over 10,000 migrants
- The city has met urgent needs, but doesn't seem to have a long-term plan for these migrants
“In this new and unforeseen reality, where we expect thousands more to arrive every week going forward, the city’s system is nearing its breaking point," Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement Wednesday. "As a result, the city’s prior practices, which never contemplated the bussing of thousands of people into New York City, must be reassessed."
Over 10,000 migrants have entered the New York shelter system since buses started arriving from Texas in early May. Thousands more could be on the way.
“They promised us a plan, but we have not actually seen a plan. They have not provided us a plan. It seems like they are operating on an emergency basis,” Kathryn Kliff, staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society, said.
The city and nonprofit organizations have provided those sent here with services and even schooling for the children, accusing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott of playing politics.
Gov. Kathy Hochul hasn’t been willing to talk to him.
“We need to see this emergent need have a plan that is long-term, and we need all three levels of government to be working together to achieve that,” Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said.
Many of these migrants are applying for asylum, a process that could take years and that doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome. A few months after applying, some might qualify for a temporary work permit.
“If the federal government is saying that for six months you can’t work, then the federal government should be saying for six months we are going to compensate you, ‘cause someone has to pay for that,” Adams said in Washington on Tuesday.
It is unclear whether the city has already received any state and federal funding to deal with this crisis.
Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro said New York will continue to welcome immigrants, “but of course, this needs to be a shared responsibility across the entire country.”