Another 51 asylum-seekers arrived in Rochester. Most of them are children.

Robert Bell and Maryann Batlle, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Updated ·3 min read
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Another 51 asylum-seekers arrived in Rochester from New York City on Monday night, according to a statement from Monroe County.

They were brought to the same Holiday Inn on State Street that gave shelter to the first group of asylum-seekers who were relocated to Monroe County in early August.

DocGo, the company contracted by New York City for placements, shared the following information about the new arrivals:

  • There are 12 families. One family is from Haiti, one from Jamaica, seven are from Venezuela and three from Ecuador.

  • The group consists of 28 children and 23 adults.

  • Their primary languages are English and Spanish.

Asylum-seekers from New York City are staying at a downtown Rochester hotel, pictured in this file photo. The housing, food and support services will be paid by New York City.
Asylum-seekers from New York City are staying at a downtown Rochester hotel, pictured in this file photo. The housing, food and support services will be paid by New York City.

Why are asylum-seekers being relocated to Monroe County, NY?

Last year, Republican governors of Texas and Arizona started busing asylum-seekers from the southern border to more liberal cities, including New York City. Some other states followed suit and created their own relocation programs.

Past coverage: Texas, Arizona bus migrants to U.S. cities, and now Chicago. Here's what could happen next

More than 100,000 asylum-seekers have arrived in New York state over the last year, Gov. Kathy Hochul said during a recent speech where she called on President Joe Biden to direct federal resources to provide aid.

"These individuals are literally fleeing for their lives — political strife, gang violence, extreme poverty and persecution," Hochul said.

"I do believe we have a moral imperative to help these new arrivals."

Since busing began, New York has exhausted its shelter space for asylum-seekers, according to its mayor, Eric Adams. As of May, New York City has relocated hundreds of asylum-seekers to hotels in at least seven counties around the state.

Among the 77 adults and children became the first wave of asylum-seekers to reach Rochester earlier this month was a Venezuelan woman who gave birth during her journey to the southern border.

'A humanitarian crisis': NYC mayor declares state of emergency over migrants bused from Texas, Arizona

'People were dying all around us': Angolan family seeking asylum in Rochester shares story

How are Monroe County governments, New York City and New York state providing resources to help asylum-seekers?

Monroe County has said that New York City is paying for related food, shelter and health needs.

Rochester and Monroe County leaders have expressed their desire to assist the families in transit while ensuring that local taxpayers don't bear the cost.

"The county of Monroe, the city of Rochester, these nonprofits do not have a bottomless pit of resources," Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said at an Aug. 8 news conference.

Previous coverage: Scared asylum-seekers reach Rochester. Officials offer help, but won't spend tax money

In her recent speech, Hochul said the influx is a "crisis that originated with the federal government, and it must be resolved through the federal government." Her administration has asked for a federal designation that would allow asylum-seekers already in New York to work and support themselves and their families, Hochul said.

"What we've said all along is just let them work and help us out financially," she said.

Watch Hochul's full speech:

How can people donate to help asylum seekers in Rochester, NY?

At this time, people should avoid sending items directly to the Holiday Inn.

The Ibero-American Action League has made available two drop-off locations in Rochester to those who want to donate:

  • Community Resource Center, 216 Clifford Ave.

  • Main Office (Planet Aid White Box at the back entrance), 124 Evergreen St.

More information is also available on the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes website.

This story included reporting by Justin Murphy.

Contact Robert Bell at: rlbell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @byrobbell & Instagram: @byrobbell.

Maryann Batlle (she/her/hers) is Emerging Audiences Editor at the Democrat and Chronicle. Reach her by email: mbatlle@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: As Rochester NY accepts new group of asylum-seekers, Hochul appeals to Biden for aid