NYC migrant crisis: Hochul seeks federal aid
Migrant crisis in NYC: Governor Hochul seeks federal aid
Governor Kathy Hochul is seeking emergency disaster aid from President Joe Biden in an effort to handle the migrant influx. In just the last week, around 4200 migrants arrived in the city, and officials worry this number could double now that Title 42 has expired.
NEW YORK - At least two buses with migrants arrived at the Port Authority bus terminal from Texas, Friday morning.
In an effort to handle this migrant influx, Governor Kathy Hochul sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for emergency disaster aid.
Hochul later highlighted the growing crisis to county leaders in a phone call, telling them that 40% of hotels in Midtown are now occupied by migrants
In just the last week, around 4200 migrants arrived in the city, but officials worry this number could double now that Title 42 has expired.
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The U.S. is putting new restrictions into place at its southern border to try to stop migrants from crossing illegally and encourage them instead to apply for asylum online through a new process.
The city has been scrambling trying to find places to house these migrants, the mayor even temporarily lifting parts of the right-to-shelter law.
But advocates are pushing back.
"There’s been some dangerous talk about putting families in congregate settings and we're totally against that," Power Malu, with Artists, Athletes, Activists explained outside Port Authority. "We're hoping that this is not something that they are going to exercise as an option.
RELATED: Border appears calm after lifting of pandemic-related asylum bans
Orange, Rockland, and several other upstate counties have declared a state of emergency in an attempt to block migrants from arriving.
Rockland County officials also filed a restraining order, which a judge upheld, temporarily barred New York City from moving migrants to the county.
But despite this effort, the city sent around 40 migrants to the Crossroads Hotel in the town of Newburgh.
One veterans' organization told FOX 5 NY that this displaced homeless veterans who were staying at this hotel.
RELATED: New York City sticks with migrant hotel plan despite pushback from suburbs
"Over the last week, many of our homeless veterans that YIT provides services for were informed that they had to leave their temporary housing," Sharon Toney-Finch, CEO of the YIT Foundation explained. "Our veterans were housed in several hotels that were preparing to receive migrants from New York City. Thankfully, my team and I were able to scramble and find new temporary housing for these veterans. However, this extra trauma has been difficult as we work to gain trust and continue to support these veterans as they reintegrate back into society. Whether you agree or disagree with migrants being housed in the Hudson Valley, I think all of us can agree that this issue should not negatively impact our homeless veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country."
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus on Good Day Friday morning blasted the mayor for not notifying him ahead of time about the arrival of migrants in Newburgh.
"He is sending folks up here that we have absolutely no background on, no information on and I think that's unacceptable," Neuhaus said.
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Asylum seekers in NYC plead for right to work
NYC officials are urging President Biden to sign an executive order allowing asylum seekers to work immediately after being processed.
But city officials say they have reached their limit - Mayor Eric Adams speaking with around 200 county leaders from around the state, pleading for help in this migrant crisis.
And now Governor Kathy Hochul also asking President Joe Biden for federal resources and is specifically requesting a migrant facility at Floyd Bennett Field, a former military airfield on Jamaica Bay.
In the letter, Hochul also urged Biden to expedite efforts to give migrants temporary status, so they can work in the state.
But right now counties are not stepping up quickly to help.
RELATED: Chaos at US-Mexico border will continue 'for a while,' Biden says
Westchester County Executive George Latimer says they would be willing to accept some migrants within reason, while Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakemen said firmly that Nassau is not a sanctuary county and will not participate in any sanctuary programs.
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams pleading for a more humanitarian response to this crisis.
"Unfortunately, I believe Washington DC has not done the right thing in a national response.," Williams said. "President Biden I think has failed us in New York City."
Meanwhile, City Councilman Justin Brannan tweeted today that the city will be using a gymnasium building at PS 188 in Coney Island to house migrant families with children.
"I do not believe housing children & families in an active public school gymnasium is the solution," Brannan wrote. "I will share more info as I learn it."
Hochul says they have also deployed around 1500 national guard members to assist with this crisis.