Is It Too Late To Fix NYC’s Migrant Crisis?
Why Federal and State Governments Need To Step Up Their Game Before It’s Too Late
Over the past few months, New York City has been facing a mounting crisis related to the treatment and care of migrants. The situation has reached a critical point, with the city and state governments struggling to shoulder the burden of a fundamentally broken system. The federal government has failed to enforce the law, and the state has resisted fairly distributing migrants to other communities for fear of political backlash. An unsustainable situation is hurting migrants, overwhelming city services, and further damaging an already struggling economy. It’s time for the federal and state governments to step up their game before it’s too late.
Let’s start with the indisputable facts. The federal government is responsible for immigration law. Federal law allows refugees to enter the country and seek asylum from within the country.
Asylum seekers have a right to a hearing and a judicial determination. But there has been an increase in asylum seekers due in part to the Biden administration’s policy changes. It’s the federal government’s job to manage this increase one way or another. However, it has all but abrogated responsibility and left the burden to state and local governments in what has become a political nightmare. The mayor and governor have repeatedly requested assistance from the feds, who have turned a deaf ear to New York.
With the situation now critical, two things can be done. First, the federal government needs to fulfill its responsibility. It’s a violation of federal law to transport people here illegally across state lines. Bus companies have been transporting both legal asylum seekers and illegal undocumented people to New York City. The federal government has failed to enforce the law and should be held liable for the damages, along with the bus companies.
Secondly, the state government must prioritize funding New York City. The state compounds the federal negligence because most migrants are in Gotham, and the state resists fairly distributing them to other communities for fear of political backlash. There is no legal, moral, or practical basis for that position.
The state also refuses to reimburse the city for the cost of migrant care. The state claims only New York City has a “right to shelter” law. However, the city’s obligation to shelter is based on the state Constitution’s article 17, which mandates that the state and its subdivisions must provide care for people in need as determined by the Legislature. This constitutional provision applies to New York City as a “subdivision” of the state and every other local government.
The Constitution anticipated changing circumstances and gave the Legislature power to establish policies such as defining who has a right to shelter, what that entails, and who’s responsible for the cost. The Legislature could end the current confusion and court cases by establishing a uniform migrant policy (and homeless policy) for the state.
The Blame Game
The blame game has been going on for too long. Frightened politicians too often choose political expediency over sound policy. The migrant issue has become a political hot button, and politicians’ response is a fear-driven pass-the-buck mentality that has only made the problem worse.
Ironically, most state legislators are from New York City, so they’re unfairly burdening their constituents by imposing the cost on city taxpayers alone. The old Albany adage comes to mind: “A politician who does nothing does nothing wrong.” That’s why meaningful change is so rare in state government. The state politicians think they’re playing it politically safe by avoiding the migrant issue, but they are wrong.
New York City is already in crisis, dealing with a post-COVID economy, high vacancies, crime, homelessness, out-migration, and budget deficits. It cannot afford to pay the estimated $12 billion (by the end of fiscal year 2025) in migrant care. Nor can it afford to cut essential services when the quality of life is already suffering. That would only add to the 630,000 people who have left the city since COVID. The city is the economic engine for the state and the region. If the Big Apple falters, the consequences will be devastating.
Migrants Are Over-Concentrated In One Very Dense City
The feds and the state also mistreat migrants, who are over-concentrated in one very dense city, packed in modern-day “welfare hotels” and tent cities. Is that considered a “progressive” policy?
No, it is a damning regressive policy from a state that historically set the progressive standard. An intelligent approach for the federal and state governments would match migrants with locations that could provide employment opportunities and housing.
Many migrants are agricultural workers, and many cities have lost populations. Businesses need low-wage workers. Intelligently managed, the migrant population could be an asset rather than a liability that’s been created. New York City needs and deserves help.
The migrant crisis in NYC is an issue that cannot be ignored any longer. The situation has reached a critical point, and something needs to be done before it’s too late. The federal government and the state need to step up and take responsibility for their actions rather than passing the buck and blaming others. Migrants are suffering, city services are overwhelmed, and the economy is struggling. It’s time for the federal and state governments to work together to find a fair, practical, and sustainable solution. Anything less is unacceptable.
References:
- https://nypost.com/2021/06/01/feds-unfair-to-nyc-migrants-and-state-is-mistreating-them-too
- https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states
- https://nypost.com/2023/12/20/opinion/if-the-feds-and-state-dont-take-responsibility-for-the-migrant-crisis-nyc-should-sue/
- https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2023/08/could-new-york-citys-right-shelter-apply-statewide/389450/
