Despite a significant slowdown in the influx of undocumented immigrants into New York City since the beginning of this year, and Mayor Adams implementing shelter restrictions, the number of immigrants living in municipal shelters has not seen a significant decrease.
According to the New York Post, based on data from the New York City government, approximately 1,100 to 1,500 undocumented immigrants have been arriving weekly since March. The latest figures as of the week ending June 16 show about 1,100 immigrants arriving. Compared to the peak in January when around 4,000 immigrants were arriving weekly, it is evident that the influx of undocumented immigrants has significantly slowed down. Despite being known as a “sanctuary city,” Mayor Adams has been implementing shelter restrictions for immigrants since last fall, limiting single immigrants to 30 days and immigrant families to 60 days. However, as of July 2, there were approximately 65,300 immigrants living in municipal shelters, similar to the numbers from March and only a limited decrease from 69,500 in January.
Steven Camarota, Director of Research at the Center for Immigration Studies, told the New York Post that Adams’ shelter restrictions have limited effectiveness because immigrants reaching the limit can reapply for placement, and New York City’s Right to Shelter law actually encourages a continuous influx of undocumented immigrants.
Councilman Robert Holden of the Queens Democratic Party also believes that the best way to reduce undocumented immigration is to abolish the Right to Shelter law and end the city’s “sanctuary city” status.
However, the city government expects a decrease in shelter population before the start of the fall semester.
On July 9 (Tuesday), Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy, in charge of communications affairs for the New York City government, announced the latest data at a press conference. As of that day, tens of thousands of new departure notices have been issued to undocumented immigrants in shelters, including 17,800 30-day notices to single adult individuals, 2,500 60-day notices to young adults aged 18 to 22, and 17,400 60-day notices to child families.
Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack stated on Tuesday that the current weekly entry of undocumented immigrants into New York has decreased to approximately 900. Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom added that this is the first time it has dropped to below 1,000 people per week.
Isom previously stated at a press conference on June 17 that summer is a good time for immigrant children and families to move out of shelters. The city government is closely monitoring the numbers but has not yet planned to implement stricter shelter restrictions.