Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson has cited potential concerns envisaged with locating an asylum seeker relief center at Orchard Beach in the Northeast Bronx, such as potential flooding and lack of adequate transportation connectivity. The Adams administration included the center as a target location proposed to house asylum seekers during an announcement made last Thursday, Sept. 22. Other center openings in other locations are also planned.

 

City officials announced last week that humanitarian emergency response and relief centers to support hundreds of asylum seekers arriving in New York City each day from Texas and other border states would be opened and would provide assistance to newly arriving individuals. City officials said they would ensure asylum seekers continue to be connected to the full range of services and supports they need.

They said such humanitarian relief centers are the first touch point for arriving asylum seekers, helping people by immediately offering shelter, food, medical care, case work services, and a range of settlement options including through connections to family and friends inside and outside of New York City, in addition to, if needed, the possibility of direct referrals to alternative emergency supports or city shelter.

 

During the announcement, Mayor Eric Adams said of the centers, “More than 100 years ago, Ellis Island opened its doors to welcome in those ‘yearning to breathe free.’ Now, more than ever, it’s clear that we are again dealing with a humanitarian crisis created by human hands. While other leaders have abdicated their moral duty to support arriving asylum seekers, New York City refuses to do so.”

 

City officials said NYC Department of Emergency Management and NYC Health + Hospitals are operating the asylum seeker centers, in partnership with other city agencies, as well as contracting partners and providers, to provide what they described as comprehensive, on-site services and referrals. They said two humanitarian relief centers will open in the coming weeks. Orchard Beach will open first, serving adults, and a second location is still being finalized. City officials said additional humanitarian relief centers may be opened in the coming weeks, as needed. They said all centers will be expertly designed and built climate-controlled, safe spaces.

Officials added that to the extent possible, buses will arrive directly at the centers or be directed there from Port Authority. Upon arrival, they said all asylum seekers who want them will be provided with settlement options, as well as immediate health, safety, and legal information. Asylum seekers who do not or cannot find immediate housing will stay at the relief centers for 24 to 96 hours approximately, according to city officials who said that these timeframes are subject to change depending on the situation. They added that additional assessment time will ensure asylum seekers understand their options, and can get to their desired destination quickly and smoothly.

 

Adams added, “This is not an everyday homelessness crisis, but a humanitarian crisis that requires a different approach. That’s why the humanitarian emergency response and relief centers will be the first touchpoint for asylum seekers that will provide them with a range of services and support as families determine their next steps.”

 

The mayor said the emergency response represents what New Yorkers know must be done during this humanitarian crisis, as the City, according to the mayor, continues to seek assistance from federal and State partners to continue the work. “Like the generations that came to our City before, New York will provide the thousands now coming to our City with the foundation to build a better life,” he said.

 

Reacting to the news on Monday, for her part, Gibson said that during times of great challenge, New York has always stepped up to help support those in need. “As our City has seen an increase in asylum seekers, it is important for us to share in this emergency crisis and ensure that we are all doing our part to assist,” she said.

“The City of New York is a right-to-shelter city and is legally required to provide temporary housing to those who enter our shelter system. As we continue to be overwhelmed with single adults and families in need of housing, the administration has decided to implement an option to provide temporary housing in certain designated locations starting with the Orchard Beach parking lot.”

 

Gibson added, “While this is not the ideal location, and we have raised reasonable concerns, my team and I are working with the Adams administration to ensure that any site designated for our borough has wraparound services. These services must be provided in a dignified, humane, quality, and safe space that does not do further harm nor add burden to clients and families. Under these emergency circumstances, we will work together with the administration in a balanced and strategic manner to ensure the Bronx is not overburdened but rather an equal part of these important conversations moving forward.”

 

As reported by the New York Daily News, AOL and other outlets, though she does not oppose the opening of the center, Gibson reportedly cited potential flooding and poor transportation connectivity as some of the reasons for her concerns over its location, which is expected to house up to 1,000 migrants, according to City officials.

 

The news comes on the back of a recent move by Florida Gov. Ron de Santis who instructed the transportation of nearly 50 Venezuelan asylum seekers and migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, as immigration lawyers representing the group decried the order as an “appalling” political stunt that should never be allowed to happen again, according to The Guardian.

 

A further wave of inward migration may follow in the wake of Hurricane Fiona which recently devastated Puerto Rico. While the mayor has publicly committed his support to Puerto Ricans following the hurricane, and has just returned from a visit to the island, other elected officials are calling for a waiver to be implemented in respect of the prevailing Jones Act.

Today, I joined my @NYCCouncil colleagues of Puerto Rican descent in urging the Biden administration to grant a Jones Act waiver to ensure that supplies from international ships can be off-loaded in Puerto Rico—providing much-needed relief to the island. pic.twitter.com/YWJs6opEXM

— Adrienne Adams (@NYCSpeakerAdams) September 26, 2022

As previously reported by Norwood News, the law, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a federal statute establishing support for the development and maintenance of a merchant marine in order to support commercial activity, and serve as a naval auxiliary in times of war or national emergency, according to Cornell Law School. Among other things, it requires shipping between U.S. ports to be conducted by US-flag ships.

 

Media outlets have reported on a fuel shipment located off the coast of Puerto Rico which has been precluded from docking due to the Jones Act.

Inbox: on Friday, @ShahanaFromBK, the City Council immigration committee chair, will lead a rally against Mayor Adams' "proposed tent city" for asylum-seekers in the Bronx & "ongoing assault" on right-to-shelter. Several other CMs, MBP Levine, advocacy groups set to attend.

— Ben Max (@TweetBenMax) September 28, 2022

 

On Wednesday, Gotham Gazette’s Ben Max reported that Brooklyn City Council Member Shahana Hanif, immigration committee chair, is leading a rally opposing the planned Bronx relief center on Friday, Sept. 30.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referenced Gov. Ron DeSantis as the Governor of Texas. We apologize for this error.