New York City has announced plans to close several migrant shelters.
According to Fox News, by the end of the year, 12 facilities will shut down in response to fewer migrant arrivals and the high costs borne by city taxpayers.
The announcement comes just ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, signaling a shift in federal immigration policies. Despite reduced numbers of new arrivals, over 223,000 migrants have sought shelter in the city since spring 2022.
Recently documented encounters at the border in September were at their lowest since February 2021, indicating a potential decrease in future demands for shelter.
Among the shelters to be closed are notable locations such as Hotel Merit in Manhattan and the Quality Inn JFK in Queens.
Other affected facilities are spread across Albany, Dutchess, Erie, Orange, and Westchester counties. The large-scale shelter on Randall's Island, currently hosting up to 3,000 migrants, is also set to close by February 2025 following Trump's January 20 inauguration.
The city has been grappling with significant expenses related to the migrant crisis—a nightly cost of $352 per migrant. Mayor Eric Adams highlighted the financial and logistical challenges in managing an influx equivalent to twice the population of Albany. He praised his administration's efforts in reducing the reliance on shelters.
"Our staff is on hand to help guests plan for the next steps as the city consolidates its operations," a spokesperson from city hall remarked, ensuring that support is continuous for those affected by the closures.
“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,” said Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City. “We’ve focused on helping people take their next steps out of shelter and that focus is paying off. And with our census declining for the past 19 weeks in a row, it’s clear that our efforts are working. The new policies we’re implementing today will build on our successes, save taxpayers millions, and help even more migrants take their next steps towards fulfilling their American Dream.”
The decision to close the shelters was met with opposition from several advocacy groups. During a protest at City Hall, members of Jews For Racial & Economic Justice vocally opposed the shuttering.
They emphasized New York's identity as a sanctuary for immigrants, contrasting sharply with the anticipated policies of the incoming administration. "Immigrants are welcome here – Trumpian policy is not!" was a prominent chant during the demonstrations.
Currently, New York City operates approximately 210 shelter sites hosting about 58,000 migrants. This massive operation reflects the substantive fiscal and social commitment of the city to migrant welfare, with projected costs possibly reaching $12 billion over three fiscal years if no policy modifications are made.
Facing a complex panorama of logistical challenges, financial burdens, and political changes, New York City's migrant shelter strategy aims to adapt to decreasing numbers while still supporting those in need.
As shelters begin to close, the focus is shifting towards sustainable integration and support mechanisms outside of temporary housing, reflecting a transformative period in the city's approach to handling migration-related demands.
