Adams to Close Refugee Shelters in New York

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on December 10 that he would close 25 shelters housing asylum seekers in the next two months, reports Guardian.

New Deal Adams on immigration has brought him into closer contact with the Donald Trump administration, which is planning the mass deportation of millions of illegal immigrants.

Cost savings

The number of asylum seekers in city shelters is now at its lowest level in 17 months.

Among the shelters to close is the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center at Floyd Bennett Field, which houses about 2000 people. Housing costs are being paid by New York state.

On the subject: Eric Adams says he plans to deport all criminally connected illegal immigrants

City officials say closing the shelters will save the city $2,3 billion.

"Thanks to our smart management strategies, we have overcome this crisis. The shelter closures are further evidence that we are handling this crisis better than any other city in the country," Adams said in a statement.

Reaction

The decision to evict migrants from shelters has drawn mixed reactions. Many said that the 30- and 60-day notices for people who lose their homes will not help families get other resources in New York City. That is a very short time.

Adams has come under fire, accused of trying to curry favor with Trump. The mayor now faces prosecution on charges of accepting bribes from Turkish officials.

The Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless have released a joint statement in response to the closure of the Floyd Bennett Field shelter.

"We welcome this closure, which we have long advocated for. This shelter has never been a safe place for families with children. It has raised concerns about the safety of families. But we are mindful of the devastation that shelter closures cause for the families we serve. These are the families who most long for stability," the statement said.

“In preparation for the President-elect’s plans to carry out mass deportations across the country, we are closely monitoring these closures and transfers. We want to ensure that new arrivals have access to asylum and protection from any potential federal immigration enforcement networks,” the organizations explained.

The shelters currently scheduled to close are located in the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Additional closures are planned in New York state, including in the cities of Albany and Buffalo.