New York City Shuts Down Large Emergency Shelter for Migrants
New York City is downsizing its massive emergency shelter system, which was set up to house tens of thousands of migrants, as the number of new arrivals steadily declines and President-elect Donald Trump has promised mass deportations upon taking office.
Shelter Closures
In its latest move, Mayor Eric Adams announced the closure of a large tent shelter housing over 1,800 migrants on a remote, former airport in Brooklyn, with residents transferred to other sites. This joins 25 locations that have recently been shuttered or earmarked for closure, including another huge tent complex on an island park off Manhattan that the mayor previously announced will close in February.
Migrant Concerns
Migrants and their advocates have been urging the administration to close the Floyd Bennett Field shelter and relocate families living there, citing concerns that they would be prime targets for Trump’s mass deportation plan, given the site’s location on federal land.
Personal Stories
Mariama Barry, a 26-year-old from Guinea, has been living at the airfield shelter for the past year. She is a single mother of two young children and has been living in fear of being deported back to her homeland, where she fled to escape a forced marriage and to prevent her young daughter from being subjected to genital mutilation.
Advocates’ Reaction
Advocates welcomed the announcement, but are closely monitoring the next steps to ensure that migrants are protected from any potential federal immigration enforcement actions and that any disruptions to school, work, health care, and other critical services are minimized.
Background
New York City’s shelter system was set up to house tens of thousands of migrants who arrived in the city after the spring of 2022. The city’s response to the influx included setting up temporary shelters and providing housing to roughly 250,000 migrants.
Pending Closures
The administration has committed to closing all 10 shelters it operates in five upstate counties by the end of the month. At least 11 other shelters providing roughly 1,800 beds closed in November, including one in an isolated warehouse at John F. Kennedy Airport and another in a 19-story, former college dormitory on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Future Plans
The city is working to consolidate and close shelters, with the goal of saving taxpayer money. Mayor Adams has declined to elaborate on the future of Floyd Bennett Field, which is a federal historic site.
Trump’s Transition Team
Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the shelter closures. However, they have stated that Trump will “marshal every federal and state power necessary to institute the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals, drug dealers, and human traffickers in American history.”
Conclusion
New York City’s decision to downsize its emergency shelter system comes as the number of new migrant arrivals steadily declines and President-elect Trump has promised mass deportations. The city’s administration is working to consolidate and close shelters, with the goal of saving taxpayer money. Advocates are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that migrants are protected from any potential federal immigration enforcement actions and that any disruptions to school, work, health care, and other critical services are minimized.
FAQs
Q: What is the current number of migrants in New York City’s shelter system?
A: The city’s shelter system currently provides housing to roughly 55,000 migrants across roughly 200 temporary sites.
Q: What is the reason for the decline in new migrant arrivals?
A: The decline is attributed to new asylum restrictions imposed by President Joe Biden in June and the general decline in the number of migrants arriving in the United States.
Q: What is the plan for closing the remaining shelters?
A: The city is working to consolidate and close shelters, with the goal of saving taxpayer money. The administration has committed to closing all 10 shelters it operates in five upstate counties by the end of the month.
Q: Will the city provide support to migrants who are being deported?
A: The city’s administration has not specified how it will support migrants who are being deported, but advocates are urging the administration to provide resources and services to help migrants reintegrate into their communities.
