New York City is suing over 30 municipalities that have declared states of emergency to keep the city from sending migrants upstate. Cayuga and Schuyler Counties are among those mentioned by name in the suit.
“Since this crisis began, New York City has — virtually on its own — stepped up to provide shelter, food, clothing, and other services to asylum seekers arriving in our city. We are doing our part and will continue to do our part, but we need every locality across the state to do their part as well,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “We have repeatedly sounded the alarm that our shelter system is at capacity and that we are out of space. While many communities have been overwhelmingly supportive and enthusiastic about welcoming these new arrivals to their cities and towns, some elected officials have attempted to build metaphorical walls around their localities with unlawful executive orders. This lawsuit aims to put an end to this xenophobic bigotry and ensure our state acts as one as we work together to manage this humanitarian crisis fairly and humanely, as we have done from the beginning and as we will continue to do.”
As many as 900 migrants were seen arriving in the city during some weeks in May.
Several upstate counties, including Cayuga and Schuyler, have enacted executive orders preventing hotels and motels from entering into agreements to house migrants in them.
