No more than 30 days: Adams again reduced the length of stay of migrants in shelters

On September 22, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a reduction in the length of stay for adult asylum seekers in shelters. The maximum period is now 30 days (previously it was 60). Writes about this NY1.

All asylum seekers applying for asylum for the first time at an arrival center will receive a shelter space for 30 days, as well as “enhanced” case management services, he said.

The city initially allowed 60-day stays in shelters.

“For more than a year, New York has taken proactive action in anticipation of the significant assistance needed from federal partners to comprehensively address this crisis and support the tens of thousands of asylum seekers in our care. And today’s announcement is another step in our efforts to help asylum seekers take the next step in their journey,” Adams said.

The decision comes as the city has 60 migrants in its care and the mayor said he "will continue to have to make difficult decisions." The city has received more than 000 asylum seekers since last spring.

The mayor's statement said asylum seekers who receive a 30-day notice will have the opportunity to contact caseworkers during those 30 days to discuss next steps.

Over the past two months, the city has issued 13 000-day notices to adult asylum seekers.

The Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless issued a joint statement condemning the mayor's decision.

“Pushing new arrivals from shelters who have nowhere to turn risks a sharp increase in the number of people sleeping on the streets, which no one wants to allow,” the statement said. “New York has long been a city that welcomes migrants with open arms and weaves them into our social fabric.”

“Every day this administration pursues policies like these, it erodes the long-standing virtue that has defined and strengthened our city since its founding,” the appeal said.