Mayor Adams’ ‘Right to Shelter’ Agreement Will Exacerbate New York City’s Migrant Crisis

Mayor Adams’ recent announcement, limiting the time migrants can spend in shelters at taxpayer expense, is deceptive.

The agreement is meant to give the impression that he is addressing an issue, but in reality, it shows a compromise with the migrant-industrial complex.

According to Adams, the agreement with the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless will enable the city to remove adult migrants from city-run shelters after 30 days, thus saving money and reducing the need for additional shelters.

However, it turns out that migrants could extend their stay by meeting certain conditions like obtaining a driver’s license, following shelter rules, displaying good behavior, or applying for public benefits. These are just a few examples of criteria that could allow migrants to stay longer.

Moreover, the agreement only applies to single adults aged 24 and above, leaving out the 78% who arrive with children and receive priority placement in hotels. The city spends a significant amount per night for each family for food, shelter, medical care, education, and legal services.

This deal does not address the high costs associated with providing these services and will likely continue drawing migrants seeking free shelter in New York City.

Worst of all, there are no provisions in the agreement to evict troublemakers with criminal backgrounds who disrupt the peace of the city.

The agreement was announced after a lengthy negotiation process following Adams’ earlier attempt to impose a 30-day limit on adult migrants.

Adams’ concession to the demands of Legal Aid and the Coalition without considering the impact on taxpayers or the community shows a disregard for the public’s interests. The shelter industry benefits while ordinary citizens suffer from reduced services and the proliferation of shelters.

Under the agreement, the city must provide shelter for anyone seeking it, prioritizing migrants over local residents in need of essential services. This “right to shelter” policy poses a significant strain on city resources and encourages more migrants to seek refuge in New York.

Adams should challenge this policy in higher courts to reexamine its implications on the city’s resources and security.

It is crucial to address the underlying problems associated with the influx of migrants rather than just providing temporary shelter.

Betsy McCaughey, a former lieutenant governor of New York, highlights these issues and calls for a reassessment of the city’s policies regarding migrants.

Twitter: @Betsy_McCaughey