Adams says the influx of New York migrants will cost $1 billion
New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Friday declared a state of emergency over the influx of migrants into the Big Apple, estimating that it would cost $1 billion to provide them with shelter and social services.
Hizzoner made the announcements in a speech at City Hall, in which he explained that the influx of migrants from south of the border had stretched the city’s social safety net to the breaking point and pushed the number of temporary shelters to an all-time high.
“We are in a crisis situation,” Adams said. “This is a humanitarian crisis that began with violence and instability in South America and is being accelerated by American political momentum.
“We did not create this crisis ourselves, it will affect everyone in this city now and in the coming months.”
City officials have struggled for weeks to find room for the arriving thousands, most of whom are Venezuelans seeking asylum from that country’s brutal dictatorship and economic collapse.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Friday declared a state of emergency over the influx of migrants into New York.
City officials have struggled for weeks to find space for the arriving migrants.
Adams rattled off stats to back up his dire warnings:
– More than 61,000 people are now in city emergency shelters, a near-record officials say they are about to surpass.
– Officials are renting rooms at more than 40 hotels across the city to keep up with the influx.
– Incoming families enrolled 5,500 new students in New York City public schools, a jump from the previous tally of 3,200.
The mayor said he will visit the tent city his administration is building on Randall’s Island to provide temporary housing for the arrivals.
Migrant families lined up outside the Living Word Christian Fellowship in Ozone Park, Queens, for clothing.
Migrant families search clothing donations in Queens.
Migrant families are staying in a hotel-turned-shelter in Queens while awaiting asylum hearings.
Officials hope the temporary facility will provide a much-needed buffer for the strained housing system by providing 500 cribs and referral services for incoming migrants before they are brought into the system.
“This is unsustainable,” Adams said of the situation. “New York City is doing everything we can, but we are reaching the very limit of our ability to help.”
The mayor called on Congress to pass legislation to reduce the mandatory waiting time for migrant labor papers. The wait is currently six months, a requirement that essentially forces arrivals into the city’s shelter system and social safety net for an extended period of time.
He also called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to provide financial aid and human support and to open state-controlled sites for housing provision.
“We need help from the federal government, we need help from New York State,” he said.
Hizzoner has little chance of getting his desire for reform from Washington.
NYPD transportation units stopped several migrant buses after dropping off migrants at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Two of the bus drivers suffered multiple safety injuries after being pulled over by the NYPD.
Nearly every attempt to reform or liberalize the country’s immigration laws has stalled in recent years due to heated arguments over the issue on Capitol Hill.
Adams said Friday that New York has rented rooms at more than 40 hotels across the city to provide emergency housing and that he would visit the tent city his administration is building on Randall’s Island to provide temporary housing for the newcomers.
https://nypost.com/2022/10/07/state-of-emergency-adams-says-nyc-migrant-influx-to-cost-1b/ Adams says the influx of New York migrants will cost $1 billion
