The Floyd Bennett Field migrant shelter for families with children drew condemnation from all points of the political spectrum since it opened last year.
Those sympathetic to the new arrivals raised concerns about the remote location and difficulties and dangers of the group setting for young kids, while those unhappy with their presence protested and complained about crime and quality of life concerns.
Less Than Ideal
When the Floyd Bennett shelter opened last fall, the city was struggling to find room for families, amid a historic surge in the number of new arrivals from the southern border. It was the first time since the 1980s that the city sent young children into a group shelter for a prolonged period.
The large tents are subdivided with partitions so families have individual rooms with doors, but they still share common areas and bathrooms and showers, which are located in trailers near the tents. Even Adams administration officials have conceded that sending young families to remote tents on an abandoned airfield was a desperate measure.
Significant Concerns
Actually shutting down the Floyd Bennett Field shelter presents myriad logistical challenges for the city, which is still housing more than 57,000 migrants in emergency shelters, the vast majority of whom are families with children.
There has been a slowdown in the number of newly arrived migrants traveling to New York City and entering shelters, as well as an increase in people leaving the system, that’s led to about a drop in around 10,000 people living in migrant shelters from a year ago.
Conclusion
The fate of the Floyd Bennett Field migrant shelter remains uncertain, with both sides of the debate continuing to pressure the city to close the facility. While some see it as a necessary evil, others believe it’s a symbol of the city’s broken system and a magnet for crime. As the city looks to the future, it’s unclear what lies ahead for the families currently residing at the shelter.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation at the Floyd Bennett Field migrant shelter?
A: The shelter is currently housing over 2,000 people, mostly families with children, in tents on an abandoned airfield in Brooklyn.
Q: What are the concerns about the shelter?
A: Critics argue that the remote location and group setting are not suitable for young children, while others are concerned about the potential for crime and impact on quality of life.
Q: What are the plans for the future of the shelter?
A: The city has announced plans to close all large-scale migrant shelters, but no specific timeline has been given for the closure of Floyd Bennett Field.
Q: What are the concerns about the incoming Trump administration’s plans for the shelter?
A: Some worry that the shelter could be used as an immigration detention center, while others believe that the administration may choose to close the facility.
