The city has begun a process to significantly reduce the number of migrants residing in the temporary shelter on Randall’s Island, which has been the center of controversy due to its impact on park usage and safety concerns. Officials announced that approximately 800 residents will be moved out of the structure, which can accommodate up to 3,000 people. This move aims to address complaints about safety issues within the shelter as well as public backlash from city families who use the park for sports and leisure activities.
Randall’s Island contains a vast amount of parkland, including a stadium, 60 athletic fields, a tennis facility, and expansive green space. The decision to convert part of the island into a migrant encampment has not been well-received by the community, as it has led to disputes over rogue migrants who have established their own make-shift illegal encampments nearby.
The city has implemented 30-day limits for sheltering individuals and 60 days for families, forcing some migrants to seek alternative housing arrangements. This situation has resulted in multiple incidents of law enforcement officers breaking down the illegal tents and dismantling open-air markets peddling drugs within the area.
Additionally, the massive temporary structure on Randall’s Island has faced numerous violent incidents, including a male migrant being stabbed to death during a dispute in January and another fatal shooting just weeks ago in a parking lot on the island. Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged that these safety issues play a significant role in the decision to reduce the shelter population.
City Councilwoman Diana Ayala expressed support for the move, stating that having thousands of people living in such close quarters on the island has caused problems. We’re happy the city is reducing the population so people are not on top of each other,” she said.
During a press briefing, Mayor Adams reported that while more than 700 new migrants entered the city system over the past week, more than 1,200 migrants left. The mayor stated that his goal is to find ways to downsize large shelters like the one on Randall’s Island and relocate residents to smaller sites. However, this presents a challenge as community opposition often prevents new shelters from being established.
Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom noted that the decline in the number of migrants arriving in the city has provided some breathing room for shelter management, allowing for consolidation into other locations and redistribution of residents to smaller sites. With over 63,000 migrants currently within the shelter system at 217 sites across the city, finding ways to effectively manage this population remains a top priority for local officials.
