In the midst of a growing migrant crisis, New York City has announced a new initiative to address the overwhelming influx of migrants. The city is now offering one-way plane tickets to migrants who have arrived in the self-described “sanctuary” city but are seeking to travel elsewhere. This move comes as New York City struggles to cope with the increasing number of asylum seekers, with nearly two-thirds of New Yorkers blaming President Biden for the crisis and over half agreeing that it will have devastating consequences.
The city has been assisting migrants in traveling out of the city for over a year, but the opening of a “reticketing center” signals an additional effort to shift migrants to other locations. With more than 133,400 asylum seekers having arrived since the spring of 2022, New York City has reached its breaking point. Mayor Eric Adams has repeatedly warned that without substantial help from state and federal partners, the crisis could spill onto city streets.
To alleviate the strain on existing emergency shelters, the reticketing center will also help triage operations for new arrivals at the Roosevelt Hotel, which has been transformed into a shelter. The situation has become so dire that migrants have been camping out on the streets surrounding the hotel.
This latest initiative follows previous measures taken by the city to manage the influx of migrants. Posters were rolled out in July, cautioning migrants that there is no guarantee of shelter and services upon arrival in New York City. The posters highlighted the high cost of living and urged migrants to consider settling in other cities with lower expenses.
In recent months, adult migrants have received 30- and 60-day notices to leave shelters in order to free up space. The city reports that as of October 22, approximately 13,500 migrants have received 60-day notices, and over 6,500 have received 30-day notices. Less than 20% of those who have exceeded these limits are still within the shelter system.
Mayor Adams has consistently called for a “decompression strategy” from the federal government and has clashed with the Biden administration on the matter. He reasserted his position this week, emphasizing that the city is out of room to accommodate more migrants. The crisis shows no signs of abating, as migrant encounters at the southern border hit a monthly record of over 269,000 in September, marking a new record for the fiscal year 2023.
The situation in New York City highlights the urgent need for comprehensive action to address the migrant crisis. As the city grapples with limited resources and overwhelming demand, the pressure is mounting on the federal government to provide substantive assistance. The impact of this crisis extends beyond New York City, emphasizing the need for a coordinated and effective response at the national level.
Contact:
Adam Shaw
Politics Reporter, Digital
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @AdamShaw
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