Elected officials, including Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Mayor Eric Adams, were joined by labor leaders and immigrants’ rights groups on Tuesday morning at Brooklyn Borough Hall in a call to action for federal, state and private sector organizations to help New York City asylum-seekers.
“Today, our call to action is loud and clear: the Federal and State administrations and private sector must aid New York City in addressing the migrant crisis – the well-being of our city demands it,” said Reynoso.
“As Borough President, I am ready to do my part in welcoming our new neighbors – earlier this summer, I offered to the Adams Administration that Borough Hall could be used as a shelter for migrants, a promise that I stand ready to fulfill. The City of New York is stepping up to provide for our new neighbors, but we cannot do it alone, and many of the partners that we need have been absent for far too long. I implore President Biden, Governor Hochul, and the private sector to step up.”
Nearly 100,000 asylum-seekers have arrived in NYC since spring 2022, and a record 108,400 people are currently sleeping in city shelters. In May, Reynoso proposed that City should open up tens of thousands of NYC apartments for New Yorkers living in city shelters and expand immediate and long-term housing opportunities across the state.
“While New York City remains a welcoming harbor for new arrivals seeking safety and opportunity, we cannot do so without State and federal partner,” said Comptroller Brad Lander.
“The right to shelter is grounded in the State’s constitution, so New York State must step up to fulfill with additional resources and coordination across localities. As enacting immigration policies is a federal responsibility, Washington must accelerate work permits and expand resources to resettle refugees, so our new neighbors can support their families and our city can flourish.”
