New York, NY – New York City Mayor Eric Adams has called for federal resources to assist with arriving asylum seekers in New York City. There is a particular concern with the rapidly growing number of asylum seekers that have entered the New York City shelter system. Over 2,800 recent asylum seekers have asked for New York City housing assistance.
Mayor Adams said “New York has been and will always be a city of immigrants that welcomes newcomers with open arms. This value has made our city a beacon of freedom for people around the world and the economic and cultural powerhouse that it is. These very same humanitarian values apply to those who are experiencing homelessness. In New York City, we have both a moral — and legal — obligation to house anyone who is experiencing homelessness for any reason. Currently, New York City is experiencing a marked increase in the number of asylum seekers who are arriving from Latin America and other regions. In some instances, families are arriving on buses sent by the Texas and Arizona governments, while in other cases, it appears that individuals are being sent by the federal government.”
“In order to meet the legal mandate” continued Mayor Adams, “and to provide high-quality shelter and services for those who enter our system, New York City needs additional federal resources immediately. If we do not get these urgently needed resources, we may struggle to provide the proper level of support our clients deserve, while also facing challenges as we serve both a rapidly growing shelter population and new clients who are seeking asylum. We are calling on the federal government to partner with New York City as we help asylum seekers navigate this process, and to provide financial and technical resources.
Asylum seekers have a right to be in the United States while they seek humanitarian protection. However, several localities as New York City are concerned about the sudden influx of immigrants and have requested federal assistance to pay for services needed. The NYC Mayor has stated that he has been in discussions with their federal partners on this matter and looks forward to a quick resolution.
