In a move that has sparked outrage among residents and local politicians, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has decided to transfer nearly 2,000 migrants from a tent shelter to a nearby high school. The decision has forced the students to pivot to remote learning, causing disruption in their education. The migrants were being sheltered at Floyd Bennett Field, but due to safety concerns related to incoming storms and potential high winds, the mayor’s office deemed it necessary to relocate them.
However, the controversial decision to move the migrants to James Madison High School has drawn criticism. Republican Councilwoman Inna Vernikov called the move “unacceptable,” arguing that Floyd Bennett Field was not a sustainable housing facility for migrants. She emphasized that public schools should be places of learning, not emergency housing centers.
Even Democratic Comptroller Brad Lander voiced his concerns, stating that the decision to place migrants at Floyd Bennett Field highlighted mismanagement and waste of money in City Hall’s approach to sheltering and providing services for asylum seekers.
The move has not only upset politicians but also parents of students at James Madison High School. One woman was seen screaming at the buses as they arrived, expressing her frustration at the children being kicked out of school.
Mayor Adams’ office defended the decision, stating that it is a proactive measure to ensure the safety of both the migrants and the staff at the shelter. They emphasized that the transfer would continue until weather conditions stabilize and the facility is once again suitable for living.
This move comes as New York City is grappling with an overwhelming influx of migrants, with over 160,000 migrants surging into the city since mid-2022, some of whom have been bused in directly from Texas. Mayor Adams has called on the federal government to provide more funding, expedite work permit processing, and offer assistance with resettlement.
However, critics argue that while the city is struggling with the migrant crisis, it has slashed budgets for education, policing, and other essential sectors. Mayor Adams has also implemented restrictions on migrant bus drop-offs and has called on other mayors in the region to do the same.
In response to the busing strategy, Texas has stood firm, stating that it is necessary to relieve overwhelmed border towns. They have vowed to continue transporting migrants to cities like New York City until President Biden reverses his open border policies.
It is worth noting that according to reports, more than 85% of migrants being encountered at the border are being released into the U.S. interior, as revealed by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to Border Patrol agents.
The controversy surrounding the transfer of migrants to a high school in New York City highlights the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding immigration policies and the strain it places on local communities. As the city grapples with an overwhelming surge of migrants, Mayor Adams and other city officials are calling for increased support from the federal government, while critics argue for a more balanced approach that considers the impact on local resources and services.
Adam Shaw is a politics reporter for Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter.
