Curfew imposed on 20 migrant shelters in New York

New York plans to introduce a curfew from 12:23 to 00:06 in 00 more migrant shelters from Monday, February 20, reports NY Daily News.

The new curfew, which comes as concerns about migrant crime increase, will affect about 3600 people and will bring the number of asylum seeker shelters under curfew to 24. Last month curfew the city introduced four assistance centers.

Among the 20 new shelters is a large relief center in Long Island City, Queens, which is home to about 1000 migrants, according to the government. The city's regular homeless shelters already have a curfew.

Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office, said in a statement that expanding the curfew "will more effectively manage the capacity of migrants in the city's custody."

The proportion of emergency shelters affected by the new curfew change is relatively small. The Adams administration has opened more than 200 refugee shelters since migrants began arriving in large numbers in the city in the spring of 2022.

Reasons for restrictions

But the extension of the curfew rules came after city officials publicly highlighted crimes involving migrants who may be stranded without the ability to find work.

A teenage Venezuelan migrant was accused of shooting a tourist and opening fire on a police officer in Times Square. New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban said the city has been hit by a “migrant crime wave” in recent months.

On the subject: New York will lower requirements for thousands of jobs to hire immigrants

Others dispute the suggestion that the estimated 66 asylum seekers in the city's custody are contributing to a significant rise in crime. Immigrants have historically committed far fewer crimes than native-born Americans, according to the study.

Gov. Hochul rejected the notion that asylum seekers are causing a crime wave. “We have 170 migrants who have come to the city. They are looking for a better life,” Hochul said. – Yes, there are isolated cases. But I wouldn’t call it a massive crime wave.”

Fearmongering

City Comptroller Brad Lander says the police commissioner's remark about a migrant crime wave is an unfounded "Republican thesis." Lander said Adams, who also highlighted migrant crime, was “fear-mongering.”

“Of course, people who commit crimes need to be held accountable,” the commissioner agreed, noting that “the evidence is clear” that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born residents.

Adams said the “vast” majority of migrants are pursuing the American Dream. “They want to contribute to the development of our society,” he emphasized.

Many of the migrants stranded in the city fled political and economic turmoil in Central and South America before heading to New York, which has a unique rule that those in need of housing must receive it from the government.

Some residents have complained about migrants begging for money in neighborhoods near the shelters. “New York continues to lead the way in managing this national humanitarian crisis, which includes prioritizing the health and safety of both asylum seekers in our care and New Yorkers living in areas adjacent to refugee shelters,” Mamelak concluded.