Legal Help for Asylum-Seekers in NYC

New York is a city of immigrants comprised of many people from around the world who have chosen to pursue immigrant visas so they can legally live and work in the city. While the city has long welcomed immigrants and has many vibrant communities comprised of people from around the world, its capacity has recently been strained by the arrival of asylum-seekers on buses from Texas. As an increasing number of migrants have arrived in New York from Texas, the city’s shelter system has quickly swelled to hold more people than it can handle. As a result, city officials have opened a new emergency shelter to address the needs of newly arrived migrants from Texas. The New York immigration attorneys at Pozo Goldstein represent asylum-seekers in the immigration court and are prepared to help newly arrived migrants in the city.

New Emergency Shelter Opened

On Oct. 19, New York City opened an 84,000-square-foot shelter to house arriving migrants from Texas. The shelter is located on Randall’s Island in Manhattan and covers 6.4 acres. The emergency shelter includes dormitories, recreation facilities, dining areas, and isolation areas for migrants who arrive with communicable diseases, including COVID-19.

The shelter can house 500 adult males, but the city stated it can increase the capacity if needed. Migrant families with children are instead being placed in other types of temporary housing and shelters across the city. The Randall’s Island shelter includes case management services and resources to help migrants determine their next steps in their immigration cases and how they can get to their destinations with family members in other areas or to the cities where their asylum claims are scheduled to be heard. Mayor Eric Adams’ office is considering a request for state funding to assist migrants with purchasing transportation to their intended destinations, including the cities and states where they are required to report to immigration court for their asylum cases.

The New York City Emergency Management department had originally started constructing the emergency shelter in the Bronx at Orchard Beach. However, heavy rains that have recently fallen in the area demonstrated the original location posed a flood risk. This prompted the city to relocate the shelter to Randall’s Island. Officials report the cost of moving locations was approximately $750,000.

The goal is to have migrants stay at the emergency shelter for no longer than 96 hours. However, some migrants will be allowed to remain longer until they can find stable housing in some cases. The shelter is designed to meet the immediate needs of newly arrived migrants and asylum-seekers, including showers, medical attention, food, rest, contacting their family members, and a way to help them reach their destinations.

Shelter Prompted by Texas Actions

The city was led to open a new emergency shelter because of the actions of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Over the past few months, Abbott has led an effort to send migrants on buses from the Southern Border to Democratic cities, including New York. Mayor Adams has stated that more than 20,500 asylum-seekers have arrived in New York and have moved through the city’s shelters since spring, and most of them have come from Texas on buses.

Gov. Abbott’s moves have been widely criticized as politically-motivated stunts. However, he has continued to send migrants on buses, forcing New York to prepare for new arrivals and respond appropriately. In early October, Mayor Adams declared a state of emergency for New York City and stated that the large influx of migrants would likely cost $1 billion. The city has requested help from both the state and federal governments.

While the new emergency shelter might provide some temporary help, additional resources are needed. To permanently address the problem, Congress should act and reform the nation’s immigration laws.

Talk to Pozo Goldstein

People who enter the U.S. can request asylum by presenting themselves to immigration officials. They then go through a process to determine whether they have a credible fear of persecution if they are returned to their home countries. If the immigration officials determine they likely have a credible fear, the asylum-seekers are released into the U.S. and given court dates in immigration courts around the country. People who are seeking asylum in New York should reach out to the New York immigration attorneys at Pozo Goldstein for help. Call us today to schedule a consultation at (212) 201-9031.