New York Mayor Eric Adams (Democrat) announced On Friday, the infamous tent city migrant shelter at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn was shut down.
The temporary facility opened in November 2023 and provided 2,000 beds for illegal immigrants in the city.
“The federal government has failed in its duty.”
Residents complained that the area had become a breeding ground for begging. House Republicans claimed in March that the encampment was linked to an “increase in crime” in the surrounding area.
“Commonly reported criminal activity in and around the Floyd Bennett Field migrant camp includes domestic violence, assault, shoplifting, prostitution, panhandling fraud, and more,” Republican lawmakers said in a statement. “The Committee is concerned about the Biden Administration's management of America's public lands, particularly Floyd Bennett Field, and the inherent safety for park employees, surrounding community residents, and immigrants as a result of the decision to lease federal lands. We are deeply concerned about the risks to park land for migrant camps. ”
In December, the Adams administration announced plans to close the Floyd Bennett Field Shelter and 24 other shelter facilities. He attributed the closure to a decline in immigration and the city's “wise business strategy.”
adams said “I want to personally say I'm sorry… because this is something none of us wanted. The federal government didn't do its job, and New Yorkers will do it instead,” reporters said Saturday. I had to do it.”
Adams called the shelter at Floyd Bennett Field an “inconvenience.”
“We should use this as an educational opportunity. No city should have to deal with a national problem like immigration,” he said.
In Friday's announcement, the city added 10 more establishments to its list of closures, including a Holiday Inn in Staten Island's Travis neighborhood.
It also said it would “open a small brick-and-mortar conglomerate facility on Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx exclusively for single adult men removed from the tent-based emergency scene on Randall's Island.”
Adams' decision to close city-run shelters was supported by Republican leaders.
“I am thrilled to learn that another immigrant shelter in our community will be closing in the coming months,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (RN.Y.).
“The Holiday Inn shelter in Travis is a nuisance to the community with numerous quality of life issues, including panhandling, prostitution, and car break-ins in the surrounding area,” Malliotakis continued. “After numerous meetings with the Mayor’s Office, I am pleased that the Mayor’s Office has listened to the concerns that I and the City Council members have raised.” [David] Mr. Carr and Messrs. agreed to take steps to begin closing these facilities. This is another step in the right direction, but we will not stop fighting until all of these shelters that are using up our tax dollars and impacting our neighborhoods are closed. ”
“This is great news for the people of Travis who have been living with the effects of having three emergency shelters in their neighborhood,” said City Councilman David Carr (R).
“My colleagues and I have been fighting for this neighborhood since 2022, and it makes sense that they would be the first, considering they were the first to establish it on Staten Island.” [to] Closures have been announced and we hope to see more in the future. Thank you to the Mayor for starting this process.”
gothamist The federal government reported plans to restore Floyd Bennett Field, which includes a pool, ice rink, gymnastics center, rock climbing and athletic fields.
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