Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to start evicting illegal migrants from the city’s shelter system, with 35 migrants set to leave on Saturday and around 5,600 expected to be evicted on a staggered basis over the coming weeks. Exemptions are being made for those with medical conditions, securing housing, experiencing domestic violence, or pregnant, as well as for those affected by a measles outbreak. The evicted migrants will be directed to a designated "landing zone" to reapply for a bed. The policy has drawn criticism from progressive lawmakers, with some urging the mayor not to proceed, while Johnson has called for federal support and criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott for busing migrants to the sanctuary city.
A recent brawl between migrants and NYPD officers outside a Times Square shelter has highlighted the increasing frustration and despair among migrants in New York City. Tensions have been escalating due to struggles finding work, the Adams administration's controversial shelter stay limit policy, and the dire living conditions in the city's shelter system. Migrants, fleeing violence and persecution, face daily challenges and are often left to fight over basic necessities. Calls for policy changes, such as allowing migrants to legally work, have been made to address the root causes of the escalating tensions and chaotic scenes outside migrant shelters.
Migrant families in New York City are being evicted from hotels as part of Mayor Eric Adams' plan to limit shelter stays to 60 days, with nearly 40 families leaving the Row NYC hotel. Some families are reapplying for shelter beds, while others are finding more permanent accommodations. The new policy has raised concerns about potential disruptions to education and the well-being of migrant families, prompting an investigation by City Comptroller Brad Lander. The evictions come as the city also evacuated nearly 2,000 migrants from a temporary shelter at Floyd Bennett Field due to an approaching storm.
Thousands of migrant families in New York City are set to reapply for shelter as their 60-day limit in the city's shelter system approaches, with the understanding that newly arrived asylum-seekers will be given priority for available spots. Mayor Eric Adams mandated the reapplication process in October, and the deadline is now coming due for these families. Single migrants also have to reapply, and tensions have risen, leading to a melee at a re-intake center. The city has seen an influx of over 162,000 migrants since the spring of 2022, with more arriving every week, and new arrivals will be given preference for shelter spots.
As winter approaches, thousands of migrant families living in New York City's emergency shelter system are facing eviction with no guarantee of alternative accommodation. Mayor Eric Adams implemented a 60-day limit for homeless migrants and their children in city housing, citing the overwhelmed shelter system due to an influx of asylum-seekers. Families are being told to leave, potentially being sent to distant tent shelters, and are left uncertain about their future. Other cities, including Chicago and Massachusetts, have also imposed limits on shelter stays for homeless migrants. Advocates argue that evicting vulnerable families during the coldest months disrupts schooling and is cruel.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's recent announcement of a $65 million plan to set up a tent encampment for migrants in Chicago came just months after he distanced himself from the concept when it was proposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. However, state documents reveal that the idea for housing migrants in tents originated within Pritzker's own administration. The state had sought proposals for both indoor and outdoor lodging options for migrants as early as May, and ultimately signed a contract with controversial contractor GardaWorld Federal Services in July. The revelation highlights the Pritzker administration's involvement in addressing the migrant crisis, despite attempts to downplay its role. The state's contract with GardaWorld includes specifications for a turnkey basecamp with fabric structures, but it remains uncertain how well these structures will withstand Chicago's harsh winter weather.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy has announced that the state will not guarantee accommodation for migrants, citing the state's shelter system being on the verge of reaching capacity. With over 7,000 migrants currently living in shelters, the system is expanding at an unsustainable rate. Healy called for urgent support from the federal government, stating that the situation is not sustainable. Massachusetts is legally required to provide shelter to eligible families, but after November 1, families seeking shelter will be assessed and prioritized based on their needs. The state is also working to help families already in shelter exit the system. Other cities, such as New York City and Chicago, are also struggling to find shelter for migrants and are seeking federal and state aid.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has warned that the state will soon reach its capacity to house migrants and homeless families through its emergency shelter system. The number of families in the state's shelter system has doubled in the past year, with nearly 7,000 families currently in need of housing. Governor Healey has called on the federal government for more aid, including a larger group shelter setting, equitable distribution of federal dollars, and expedited work permits for migrants. She has appointed a former Massachusetts National Guard leader to oversee the state's emergency shelter system and announced steps to provide pathways out of the shelter system. The governor has also requested $250 million from the state legislature to support the shelter system, but the crisis shows no signs of stopping.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is embarking on a trip to Mexico, Ecuador, and Colombia to inform migrants that the city is overwhelmed and cannot accommodate more asylum seekers. With nearly 120,000 migrants arriving in the past year and up to 800 daily, officials are considering opening additional shelters to handle the influx. Adams aims to dispel the notion that coming to New York guarantees a luxurious stay and automatic work permits. The city is grappling with the strain on social services and shelter capacity, prompting urgent pleas for federal immigration policy changes and funding.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced that adult migrants admitted into the city's shelter system will now be asked to leave their assigned shelter after 30 days, a reduction from the previous 60-day limit. The policy change is part of ongoing efforts to address the high number of asylum seekers in the city's care. Mayor Adams has called for additional funding and policy interventions from state and federal partners to support the city's efforts. The decision to impose restrictions on adult migrants has faced criticism, and the city may seek to exempt migrants from the right-to-shelter mandate in court.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has declared a state of emergency due to a surge of migrants seeking shelter in the state. The number of families in the emergency shelter system has increased by 80% compared to last year. Governor Healey has appealed to the federal government for assistance in removing barriers and expediting work authorizations for migrants, as well as funding new shelters. Massachusetts is the only state with a "right-to-shelter" law, guaranteeing homeless families access to emergency shelter. Some officials and candidates have called for the repeal of this law, citing strain on resources and potential safety risks.
New York City has reached a record-breaking milestone with over 100,000 people in homeless shelters, with more than half of them being migrants. The city has spent over a billion dollars to house migrants and is seeking help from the state and federal governments. Additionally, the nonmigrant homeless population may also be growing, with over 81,000 people in the city's main shelter system. The influx of migrants has strained the city's resources and highlighted the need for a coordinated national response.
New York City is considering using as many as 20 schools with free-standing gyms to house asylum-seekers, according to Mayor Eric Adams. At least 65,000 asylum-seekers have come through the city so far, including 4,200 last week alone. The city is beyond capacity for its shelter system with over 36,700 migrants housed across 120 locations. Some New York suburbs have rebuked Adams' plan to send migrants to their towns for shelter. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting assistance from federal agencies to house migrants on federal land in New York.
City officials in New York are considering using landmarks such as the Flatiron Building and JFK International Airport to house incoming migrants as the crisis continues. Other potential sites include Central Park, Prospect Park, and Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The city's shelter system is already at a breaking point, with nearly 61,000 migrants arriving so far, and officials are scrambling to find emergency temporary sites. The Department of Homeless Services is operating 126 emergency shelters, and the Health and Hospitals Corporation has opened eight barracks-style facilities to provide beds and social services for migrants.
