New York City authorities have evacuated nearly 2,000 migrants from a shelter located at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.
The evacuation prompted the relocation of these individuals to James Madison High School in Southern Brooklyn, where they are set to occupy the gymnasium and auditorium overnight, as per Daily Mail.
NYC Migrant Relocation Amid Storm Sparks Controversy
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 09: Nearly 2,000 migrants are evacuated by school buses from tents at Floyd Bennett Field to a local high school in preparation for a storm with estimated wind speeds to be more than 70 mph. on January 09, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Amid the arrival of winter weather, many migrant families are being forced to re-apply for shelter after reaching the 60-day limit for city housing. More than 4,000 families have been served notice on a rolling basis that they will need to re-apply without guarantee of receiving a place. More than 100,000 migrants have arrived in New York City over the last year.
City officials, led by Mayor Eric Adams' administration, initiated the move on Tuesday due to extreme weather forecasts predicting torrential downpours and winds exceeding 70 miles per hour. The migrants were temporarily transferred to the high school as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety amidst potentially hazardous weather conditions.
Republican Councilwoman Inna Vernikov raised concerns over the emergency relocation, emphasizing that Floyd Bennett Field is vulnerable to various inclement weather conditions and is not a sustainable housing facility.
She asserted that the move was foreseeable and criticized the use of public schools for emergency housing, stating, "Public schools are meant to be places of learning and growth for our children, and were never intended to be shelters or facilities for emergency housing."
A video posted by Councilwoman Vernikov showed migrants entering James Madison High School without undergoing the usual facial scanning procedures applied to students. While the relocation is deemed a temporary measure, it has drawn criticism from various quarters, including City Comptroller Brad Lander and Councilwoman Joann Ariola, who expressed concerns about mismanagement and the unnecessary expenditure of resources.
The migrants were set to stay overnight at James Madison High School, with students expected to attend classes remotely on Wednesday. However, the sudden relocation sparked frustration among parents, with some criticizing the decision to shuffle migrants between locations, including Floyd Bennett Field, known for its flood-prone nature, according to Daily News.
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Mayor Adams Defends Migrant Relocation for Safety
Responding to the criticism, Mayor Adams defended the move, citing an "overabundance of caution" due to forecasted high-speed winds. Adams' administration spokesperson Kayla Mamelak explained that the relocation aimed to ensure the safety and well-being of the individuals living at the shelter. Mamelak noted that the migrants would receive essential services and support during their stay at the high school.
The evacuation from Floyd Bennett Field comes on the same day when migrant families faced potential eviction due to the city's rule mandating reapplication for shelter after 60-day stays. Advocacy groups, including the Legal Aid Society and Coalition for the Homeless, condemned the last-minute evacuation, highlighting the unsuitability of Floyd Bennett Field as a shelter facility for families with children.
As a result of the relocation, students at James Madison High School will shift to remote learning, with the migrants scheduled to leave the building before in-person classes commence on Wednesday morning.
While the city officials assert that families were informed of their relocation in advance, critics argue that the lack of clarity in the initial statements adds to the controversy surrounding the move.
This incident follows Mayor Adams' recent announcement of a $700 million lawsuit against 17 charter bus companies accused of facilitating the transport of illegal immigrants to the city. The lawsuit alleges a violation of state law, arguing that the companies failed to cover the costs associated with caring for the nearly 34,000 illegal immigrants brought into the city over the past 20 months. The mounting challenges underscore the complex and multifaceted issues surrounding immigration policies and shelter arrangements in New York City, The Post Millennial reported.
Related Article: Migrant Crisis: New York Begins Eviction of Asylum Seekers Amid 60-Day Shelter Time Limit
