New York, a state known for its liberal leanings, has announced plans to close a dozen migrant shelters by the end of the year, just before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
The Hotel Merit in Manhattan and the Quality Inn JFK in Queens, both repurposed as migrant shelters, have already ceased operations. Ten additional facilities scattered across Albany, Dutchess, Erie, Orange, and Westchester counties are slated for closure by December 31, according to the office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
As reported by Fox News Digital, these facilities were established by the city when it was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the migrant crisis. Furthermore, the city's extensive migrant shelter on Randall's Island, capable of accommodating up to 3,000 individuals, is scheduled to close by February, shortly after Trump's inauguration for a second term on January 20, 2025.
Mayor Adams disclosed on Monday that the city has provided for over 223,000 migrants and asylum seekers who have arrived in New York City since the spring of 2022. This figure, he noted, is roughly equivalent to half the population of Albany, the state capital. The New York Post reported that city taxpayers were shouldering a $352 nightly cost per migrant, with only $130 of that sum going towards housing at the hotels. The remaining funds were allocated to social services, food, and cleaning.
Currently, around 58,000 migrants are residing in taxpayer-funded shelters, according to the mayors office. The city operates approximately 210 shelter sites across the five boroughs, and without policy changes, the crisis could cost taxpayers an estimated $12 billion over the next three fiscal years, as stated on the city's website.
The city attributes the declining number of migrants arriving in New York to the federal government and executive orders issued by the Biden-Harris administration. In September, border encounters dropped to 101,790, the lowest number since February 2021, with no significant increase since then. However, the Post reported that more than 600 new asylum seekers arrived in the city in the week ending November 10.
A city hall spokesperson assured Fox News Digital that their staff is prepared to assist guests as the city consolidates its operations. Mayor Adams praised the efforts of the city's teams, stating, "Over the past two years, our teams have accomplished the Herculean task of providing compassionate care for a population twice the size of Albany and saving taxpayers billions of dollars."
Adams also announced that migrant families who have received their second 60-day eviction notice can remain in the same shelter if they require more time. This move, he claims, will save taxpayers millions of dollars, allow children to continue attending their current public schools, and reduce the city's expenditure on student transportation.
Despite these measures, a group of approximately 50 left-wing activists protested at City Hall on Wednesday, demanding an end to the 30-day eviction rule for migrant adults. The group, Jews For Racial & Economic Justice, was removed from the chamber after about two minutes.
While the influx of migrants has decreased in recent months, there are concerns that migrants may attempt to cross the border before Trump's anticipated crackdown on illegal crossings. Approximately 1,500 migrants have formed a caravan in southern Mexico, hoping to cross the border before Trump's inauguration.
Trump has pledged to secure the southern border and execute the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. He has appointed South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Tom Homan as the new "border czar." He also plans to end the Biden administration's parole programs and shut down the CBP One app, which allows migrants to apply for asylum appointments while in Mexico.
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