On Thursday, dozens of protestors set up tents and sleeping bags outside of Gracie Mansion, blasting the city’s recent restrictions on the length of time migrants can stay in shelters before they have to reapply for housing.
What You Need To Know
- Dozens of protestors set up tents and sleeping bags outside of Gracie Mansion on Thursday
- Protest organizers said they're concerned shelter stay limits could lead to more people sleeping on the streets
- According to officials, as of Thursday morning, 75 migrants are staying at the Floyd Bennett Field shelter site
“They’re saying that they’re going to be putting migrants like our community members out on the street after 30 days or 60 days,” said Amaha Kassa, director of African Communities Together.
Kassa told NY1 he’s concerned the 30-day shelter limit for adults and 60-day limit for families will lead to more migrants sleeping on the streets.
“Another New York winter is coming,” Kassa said.
When asked about migrants sleeping on the street Thursday, New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said, “It’s a concern.”
“I think we also have to face reality. There’s only so much we can do,” Iscol added.
During an update on the ongoing migrant crisis, city officials said 65.000 people remain in the city’s care.
The newest migrant shelter opened at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, with a capacity to house 2,000 people last weekend. However, as of Thursday morning, only 75 individuals were staying there.
City officials also said the Asylum Seeker Application Help Center has now assisted 10,000 people in applying for either asylum, temporary protected status or work authorization.