A coalition of City Council members from both political parties want the White House to declare a federal emergency due to the influx of asylum-seekers, a move they say will free up funds for the five boroughs to house, feed, and educate migrants.
In a letter to President Biden and other top DC politicians, six Republicans and two moderate Democrats from the “Common Sense Caucus” argued that “bold steps” are required immediately to replenish city coffers drained by the provision of essential services to migrants, with no end in sight.
They stated that an emergency declaration could help Adams obtain the $1 billion in federal aid he estimates the city needs to deal with the influx of over 30,000 migrants in 2022.
“These services, which have already cost our taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, are escalating as more migrant buses arrive daily. Councilman Robert Holden, D-Queens, wrote in the letter, “We are requesting that the President declare the asylum seeker crisis an emergency so that FEMA may reimburse New York City for all costs associated with addressing it.”
A request for funding from City Hall to the Federal Emergency Management Agency is pending.
The letter also urged Democrats Biden, outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Schumer, as well as Republicans Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republican House Minority Leader McCarthy, to extend the federal immigration restriction policy known as Title 42, which is set to expire, and to “develop a bipartisan solution that closes the border and resolves the immigration processing issue.”
They stated, “This crisis is too large and significant to be ignored.” “We urge you to act immediately to protect the rights and well-being of asylum seekers and the safety of New York City residents.” Messages sent to the office of the president were not returned.
»The New York City Council caucus is urging Biden to declare the migrant crisis a “emergency.”«