The border crisis continues to throw communities nationwide into a tailspin, notably in the nation’s most populous city.
Despite campaigning on his support of “sanctuary” policies that welcome undocumented migrants with open arms, Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been complaining about the impact of illegal immigration consistently over the past several months.
Overcrowded shelters have resulted in migrants being housed in expensive hotels, and when space ran out inside, they began sleeping on adjacent sidewalks.
The situation has only gotten worse, as exemplified in a drastic measure officials in Brooklyn took earlier this week. As inclement weather headed toward the area on Tuesday, students at James Madison High School were sent home in order to make room for nearly 2,000 migrants to sleep inside.
Students were reportedly forced to participate in remote learning the following day since their school had been transformed into a migrant shelter.
The backlash was swift and severe, with one angry mother taking out her frustration on the passing buses transferring migrants from Floyd Bennett Field, where they were previously being housed, to the high school.
“How do you feel?” she screamed. “Does it feel good? How does it feel that you kicked all the kids out of school tomorrow? Does it feel good? I hope you feel good. I hope you will sleep very well tonight!”
A local resident identified by the New York Post as Rob said the situation was “f—ed up,” insisting that placing the blame for the shift on a passing storm amounts to a “litmus test” that will likely result in turning the facility into a long-term shelter.
“There’s 1,900 people getting thrown into my neighborhood, half a block from where I live, and we don’t know who they are,” he complained. “They’re not vetted. A lot of them have criminal records and backgrounds and we don’t even know.”
BREAKING: I just received this footage from a mom in James Madison High School in NYC where students are learning remotely to make room for illegals to sleep there. Workers are unloading cots, food, and supplies for the illegals.
The mom is told not to record. Why are they… pic.twitter.com/NFHxxS55O5
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 10, 2024
City Hall spokesperson Kayla Mamelak provided some context on the situation, though her statement did not appear to alleviate the concerns of many locals.
“To be clear, this relocation is a proactive measure being taken out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals working and living at the center,” she said. “The families are already in the process of being temporarily reloaded and will continue to be provided with essential services and support. The relocation will continue until any weather conditions that may arise have stabilized and the facility is once again fit for living.”
