New York City Mayor Eric Adams has declared a state of emergency over the migrant crisis, warning that the city is at capacity after receiving 90,000 migrants since April 2022. The city plans to distribute fliers at the southern border cautioning migrants that there is 'no guarantee' of assistance if they come to New York.
The flier, printed in English and Spanish, advises migrants to 'consider another city' and highlights the high cost of living in New York. It states that the city cannot guarantee housing or other social services for new arrivals. Mayor Adams announced that single adult migrants will only be allowed to stay in city shelters for 60 days, after which they must reapply.
Adams blamed the federal and state governments for insufficient aid, stating, 'We cannot continue to absorb tens of thousands of newcomers on our own.' A record 105,800 people are currently living in New York shelters, including over 54,000 asylum seekers.
Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union of New York, have condemned the plan as 'cruel' and 'unlawful', arguing it violates the city's right-to-shelter rules. The Republican-led states transporting migrants to Democratic-run areas say the measure aims to pressure President Biden to tighten border policies.
