As the number of undocumented immigrants flowing into New York City has dramatically decreased, the city government recently closed two immigrant shelters, including one facility that previously housed 400 families. The city plans to further reduce the number of immigrant shelters but will still maintain some hotels for emergency shelter purposes, with the expected cost savings.
Located at 1760 East 97th Street, the 19-story shelter was previously dormitories for Hunter College and Baruch College, both part of the City University of New York (CUNY). According to the New York Post, it has now ceased to function as a shelter. Meanwhile, the El Rancho hotel in the Bronx, which provided shelter for 15 families, has also ceased its operations. A representative from El Rancho stated that the hotel will undergo renovations to be reopened as a commercial hotel. The future use of the former CUNY dormitories remains unclear at this time.
According to city statistics, about 500 new immigrants entered the city’s shelter system from November 11th to the 17th, while over 1,100 people left during the same period. This is a significant decrease compared to the situation earlier in the year when approximately 4,000 new immigrants were added weekly in January.
Earlier this month, New York City closed two hotel-style shelters, Hotel Merit in Times Square and Quality Inn near Kennedy International Airport. So far, a total of four shelters have been shut down due to the decrease in immigrant flow.
Mayor Adams of New York City stated that the city government is taking the lead in addressing the national immigrant crisis by providing shelter and support. Additionally, through resettlement, case management, and immigrant shelter application centers, resources are being further consolidated to help immigrants move forward.
He previously pledged to close 10 immigrant shelters in locations such as Orange County and Westchester County in the coming month and plans to shut down the large immigrant tent camp at Rikers Island next February. Furthermore, the city government plans to continue using some hotels as emergency shelter facilities and aims to secure the use of 14,000 hotel rooms by 2025. The related expenses have already exceeded $2.3 billion, with total estimated expenditures reaching $6.1 billion. However, with the decrease in the number of undocumented immigrants, the city government expects to lower expenditure forecasts in future budget reports.
With the incoming President Trump and his Border Affairs Director, Tom Homan, expected to implement stricter border control and immigration expulsion measures early next year, this could further impact the number of undocumented immigrants in New York City and related shelter policies.