Mayor Adams Changes His Mind On Migrant Rights
Just las week, Mayor Eric Adams restated his belief that the city’s policy granting the right to shelter does not extend to the recent surge of migrants. His administration is actively working to limit the length of shelter stays and discourage new arrivals.
During an interview with WABC77 radio host Sid Rosenberg, Adams expressed, “I do not think the right to shelter should apply to the migrant crisis,” referring to the 1981 mandate that obligates the city to provide shelter beds to those in need.
This statement comes as the city appeals a decision by Judge Wayne Ozzi of the Staten Island Supreme Court. Judge Ozzi’s ruling, which emerged from debates surrounding the use of the closed Saint John Villa Academy Catholic school as a shelter for migrants, suggests that the right-to-shelter should not encompass newly arriving migrants.
In his ruling, the judge described the shelter guarantee as “an outdated relic from the past” meant to address a problem vastly different from today’s challenges. This ruling was temporarily halted when City Hall contested it in a higher court.
While Mayor Adams agrees that the migrant wave should not be covered by the right-to-shelter policy, he takes issue with other aspects of Judge Ozzi’s decision. In particular, Adams raised concerns about Ozzi’s assessment that the current situation resulted from the city’s policies.
Adams stated, “He claimed that we created this crisis by allowing people to come here. Everyone knows that I cannot prevent people from coming here. So, we must carefully examine the entire ruling, including his remarks, and ensure they do not stand.”
The mayor and his team have previously questioned the right-to-shelter policy and have been working to amend parts of it. On the day Judge Ozzi issued his verdict, the city’s lawyers were in the Manhattan Supreme Court seeking to adjust the parameters of the right-to-shelter for migrants.
Corporation Counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix will lead the city’s review of the ruling and intends to present their findings and requests to the court by Tuesday, October 3rd.
Furthermore, the city administration has revised its policy, now limiting shelter stays for newcomers to 30 days, down from the previous 60-day limit established in July. Migrants without alternative accommodations can seek additional, time-limited placement at the arrival center.
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