New York City has sent undocumented immigrants to be resettled in upstate New York, with plans to transfer them back to the city within the next few weeks.
According to NY1, Stephen Acquario, Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties, stated on June 24th that Mayor Adams’ office is collaborating with counties in upstate New York to develop a plan to relocate undocumented immigrants sent to upstate areas back to the city after schools go on summer break this week. Acquario mentioned that the decision to temporarily house undocumented immigrants from New York City in upstate locations was due to the lack of funding, facilities, and other accommodation resources in the upstate communities. He also indicated that newly arrived undocumented immigrants in New York City will no longer be sent to upstate areas. The city government is also discussing another resettlement location, with the final relocation plan yet to be confirmed.
According to city data, since spring 2022, over 200,000 undocumented immigrants have arrived in New York City. Currently, the city is still accommodating more than 65,600 people, with 1,500 immigrants living in temporary emergency shelters outside the city center.
These efforts to manage the influx of undocumented immigrants reflect the ongoing challenges faced by local authorities in addressing the needs of this vulnerable population. As discussions continue and plans take shape, the coordination between New York City and upstate counties plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and appropriate resettlement of undocumented immigrants within the state.