Bolivian Migrant Calls Out Asylum Seekers Refusing $20.8M Tent Shelter in NYC
ICARO Media Group
In an attempt to accommodate the surge of asylum seekers in New York City, the Eric Adams administration recently bused dozens of migrants to a newly-built tent facility at the Floyd Bennett Center in Brooklyn. However, some of the families immediately hopped back on the bus after seeing the facility, leading to criticism from a Bolivian migrant who questioned their complaints.
The 21-year-old Bolivian woman, who has been staying at the Randall's Island tent shelter for one month, expressed her confusion over the dissatisfaction among certain migrants. She highlighted that while the conditions at the tent facilities may not be ideal, it is important to remember that nobody asked these asylum seekers to come to the city in the first place.
The Floyd Bennett Center, expected to hold 2,000 people, became the latest addition to the city's efforts to keep up with the growing number of asylum seekers. Previously, only single adults were being sent to tent shelters, with hotel rooms being reserved for families. However, Sunday marked the first time that families were sent to the tent-style shelter.
DailyMail.com spoke to a Venezuelan family who refused to stay at the Floyd Bennett Center, claiming that the facility was not suitable for children. The Venezuelan mother emphasized the uncomfortable nature of the beds, likening the facility to a migrant detention center. The family was subsequently relocated to Kings Hotel in Brooklyn, one of the many hotels turned into shelters for migrants.
In response to the criticisms and challenges faced by the city in housing and accommodating migrants, a spokesperson from the mayor's office highlighted the pressing need for meaningful help and a decompression strategy from state and federal partners. With more than 65,600 migrants still in the city's care and thousands continuing to arrive each week, the administration stressed the urgency of finding better solutions to the ongoing national crisis.
The city's response has included setting a 30-day limit for individuals and a 60-day limit for families to stay in shelters. Although the Democrat's office plans to send out 60-day notices to migrant families, it was revealed that these notices were only issued two weeks ago. This discrepancy has led to dissatisfaction among some migrants, who argue that those who have been in the city for a longer duration should be prioritized for relocation rather than those who arrived more recently.
The influx of migrants has led to significant financial strain and the need for emergency measures. Mayor Adams has estimated that the city will spend $12 billion over the next three years to handle the situation, including the establishment of large-scale emergency shelters, renting out hotels, and providing necessary government services for migrants.
As the city continues to grapple with the complex challenges of housing and supporting asylum seekers, the plight of migrants and the need for assistance from state and federal partners remains critical.