Can Policy Change Slow Migration?
A friend this week was flustered looking for her shuttle from O’Hare. As she was turned about and struggling to find her way out she slipped behind a weird large black curtain. And what she found was worse than anything she could have imagined…children. Seemingly hundreds but actually (we now know) closer to a thousand migrants living at Chicago’s O’Hare airport. For weeks. And we know that the situation is not dissimilar in New York City where, despite the horrors of conflict in the Middle East, the numbers arriving to the city have continued unabated.
Children Living in an Airport
Even as the mayor of Chicago has stated publicly that local shelters cannot accommodate more migrants — and particularly children — Catholic Charities in Texas has continued to send families via flights to the city. Capacity notwithstanding, it’s not the fault of a charity trying to help relieve the stress on border communities (and it’s not just the airport, tents have been set up at police stations in Chicago too). But how is this a better life for these families? Or sustainable? Especially when you consider that the majority won’t qualify for asylum.
Recent Numbers in New York
This week, US Customs and Border control updated the numbers of migrants crossing the border. The figures can’t account for all who arrive (estimates of those that evade discovery are nearly double official numbers). But just the 2 million single adults allowed in with simply a court date (so without status but recorded) is staggering.
And for New York the figure of single adults is now about 100,000. For many it’s hard to understand why young, fit, mostly male, and primarily ‘economic’ migrants should be cared for by tax dollars in a city struggling with a large homeless population as it is? And fear the possibility that those aligned with terror in the Middle East may be sneaking in as well.
Citizens keeping the public updated, including @ViralNewsNYC are noting not only an alarming increase in the numbers arriving to the Roosevelt Hotel ‘intake center’ — but also tension as space becomes increasingly limited.
Will Local Policy Changes Be Enough?
We can’t stop asking questions about the Biden administration’s migration strategy and the local policies in New York that encourage those arriving to come to our city. A reminder of the policies making the situation unsustainable:
The Biden administration is allowing migrants from countries such as Venezuela “parole” for a set period of time. This means they can stay for up to two years without requiring permanent status. If they don’t qualify for asylum (as most won’t) the federal government is tasked with deporting this cohort of migrants. It’s notable that Venezuela is a country of 30 million and 7 million have fled to date.
Unfortunately in terms of “need” none of the South American countries are in as dire state as the three top nations for refugees: Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. And the US participation on the UN’s refugee program has been scant at best.
New York City’s “right to shelter” law has been extended to apply to migrants. This means tax dollars go to housing and caring for those who arrive regardless of need. But when you consider that more than 70% of arrivals are young, military-aged mostly male migrants, it seems an exploitation of this rule (which Adams is seeking to have suspended).
Adams is also limiting the time the newly arrived can spend in the city’s shelters. Single adults previously needed to reapply or vacate shelters every 60 days and now it’s 30 days. Although based on anecdotal evidence provided to us by New Yorkers and news outlets — single adults are trying to game the system which hurts the families in need of care.
What can you do? Vote. We have an opportunity to bring in both fresh voices to New York’s City Council, as well as, remove those with the most progressive policies hamstringing the mayor as he tries to exert some control over the influx to our city.
