What we know now about where NYC is sending asylum seekers, and what's next
The news that New York City was sending asylum seekers to hotels outside the five boroughs set off a frenzied reaction from officials in the Hudson Valley to the Southern Tier earlier this month.
Some vehemently disagreed with the city’s decision, saying they were not informed the asylum seekers were being transported and didn’t want their area hotels to essentially act as emergency shelters. Multiple counties, including Rockland and Orange, issued emergency orders and/or sued New York City to - at least temporarily - block hotels from accepting asylum seekers.
Oneida County, in Central New York, and Broome County, in the Southern Tier, announced emergency orders as well, even though it was unclear whether New York City ever planned to send migrants that far upstate.
On the other end of the spectrum, Yonkers and Westchester County said they'd stand with the families who've already arrived at the Ramada by Wyndham on Tuckahoe Road. Officials there expect that 50 to 100 families will arrive at the hotel in total.
Here’s what we know now about the migrant crisis in the Hudson Valley and beyond:
Mt. Pleasant issues emergency order over migrants, but NYC isn't sending any
In Mount Pleasant Town Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi's emergency declaration, he decried New York City's temporary relocation program and criticized the city for "shirking its housing responsibility and sending asylum seekers to the neighboring" areas.
But New York City is not sending asylum seekers to Mount Pleasant, and the town's own statement acknowledged Fulgenzi was acting on information received "not through direct communication."
Hudson Valley hotels sue towns for blocking migrants sent from NYC
The owners of five Hudson Valley hotels have widened a multi-county court battle over asylum seekers by suing New York counties and towns that are trying to block New York City's efforts to board migrants upstate.
The new suit returns fire at the same counties and towns that have sued the hotels and New York City to stop the transfer of refugees in the city's care. But it also broadens the legal fight, challenging the validity of executive orders that nearly two dozen other upstate counties have issued to try to head off temporary housing of migrants.
Long Island counties say no to asylum seekers
Suffolk and Nassau county leaders have said they would not participate in relocation of immigrants from New York City. The town of Riverhead, in Suffolk, declared a state of emergency Tuesday, even though there are no documented plans yet to place asylum seekers there.
Orange County blocks further migrants, over 180 already there
Orange County and the town of Newburgh filed three lawsuits against the city and their local hotels last week in an attempt to block migrants from arriving.
Meanwhile, dozens of migrants arrived at the Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh last week. More than 180 asylum seekers are now living at Crossroads and the Ramada by Wyndham hotel on Route 300 in Newburgh.
Judge blocks more migrants in Orange Co Orange County judge halts new asylum seekers but lets 186 remain in two Newburgh hotels
Spano: 50 families headed to Yonkers Immigrants arrive in Yonkers: City seeks help, pledges support for families sent from NYC
On May 16, State Supreme Court Justice Sandra Sciortino, who's handling both the county suits and the town case, heard arguments from attorneys and agreed to suspend the placement of asylum seekers as of 11 a.m. Any migrants who were placed in Orange County hotels before then could stay, but if they leave the city cannot fill their spots.
County officials were told New York City had seven buses of asylum seekers en route to Orange when the judge issued her order blocking more placements. The city is unable to drop off those asylum seekers in Orange under the court order, which extends until at least June 21.
Yonkers accepting asylum seekers, addressing social services
The Ramada by Wyndham in Yonkers is now housing 38 individuals in 15 families, relocated from New York City.
Officials are now hearing that 50 to 100 families in total will arrive at the 100-room hotel - it is unclear how many people are part of each family, said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano in a news conference on May 16.
“Now they are here and we will be very good neighbors,” Spano said. It remains unknown how many families will be sent to Yonkers and how many people could be in each family.
New York City told Spano it was “aiming” to send children who are under school age, he said.
Yonkers facilitates placements in pre-K and "three-K" programs for any family who wants it. Any child is entitled to a free and appropriate public education in New York, with school attendance compulsory for all children between 6 and 16.
It's likely the children, who would be English language learners, could have special education needs and/or lack formal schooling, Spano added.
Yonkers Schools Superintendent Edwin Quezada noted that the district should also be prepared to provide adult education for the new arrivals.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Journal News/lohud reporter Nancy Cutler, The Journal News/lohud visual journalist Seth Harrison, New York State team reporter Chris McKenna contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on New York State Team: NY asylum seekers crisis: What we know now
