Andrew Chapados February 21, 2024 theblaze.com
New York City Mayor Eric Adams had city officials change course on housing for illegal immigrants after multiple confrontational meetings with residents in Harlem, New York, who were upset that migrants were receiving luxury accommodations.
During a community forum at a church, dozens attended to express their discontent about an unused luxury apartment on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. in Harlem. The development has reportedly sat empty for nearly a decade, until nearby residents noticed boxes of bunk beds were being unloaded into the building.
The building reportedly has a swimming pool and features marble bathrooms in its units, yet it was set to become a makeshift shelter for illegal immigrants and asylum-seekers.
The discussion at the church reportedly became very passionate. At least two people allegedly were escorted out of the building, one of whom heckled the mayor over a disagreement, Spectrum News reported.
"We already have a homeless shelter," said Harlem resident Tyrone Ball. "You go outside this building, there is a huge shelter and another shelter up the block beyond that. We don’t need another one."
Other residents were pleased with what they heard from Mayor Adams.
In the following days, another town hall meeting was held to further discuss the issue. The meeting featured signage on the wall reading, "Millions on migrants what about youth programs" and "Housing equity for returning citizens first."
Local residents continued to criticize the city's planned use for the nearby building.
"I don't agree if it's turned into a sanctuary for asylum-seekers. No, we have people right here that need the space," said Tiffany Fulton, executive director of Silent Voices United Inc.
Mayor Adams soon arrived to take questions from the concerned citizens, who began voicing their issues.
"You are the mayor; we do not want to hear excuses," one resident was seen saying in report from CBS 2 New York.
After hearing from a series of speakers, Adams later announced that the city was reversing course on the building.
"I told the team to find out what's going on here. We're not moving folks into a brand-new building when you have long-term needs into a community. That's not going to happen."
"You will not have migrants and asylum-seekers in that property," the mayor added.
The building will reportedly instead be used for long-term New York City families seeking shelter.
New York City Democrats recently announced their intent to eliminate length-of-stay limits for all of the city's shelters, as some 66,000 alleged asylum-seekers and migrants are under the city's watch.
Over 177,000 migrants have reportedly been processed in New York City since 2022, with city shelters currently holding over 88,000 people. The numbers have steadily remained over 75,000 since mid-2023.
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