By Dan Murphy
So far, Westchester County has not seen the massive influx of migrants that are coming across the southern border. More than 100,000 migrants have come to New York City over the past 2 years.
Currently, three Westchester locations are housing migrants, at the Ramada Inn in Yonkers, the Ardsley Acres Motel, and at the Central Motel Courtyard in White Plains. About 400 asylum seekers are currently staying at these three locations.
Last year, County Executive George Latimer pointed out that there have been no reports of criminal activity at any location, the federal government is paying for the care of the migrants, and that the migrants are here legally, awaiting a decision on their asylum claims.
A fourth location to house migrant children who do not have a legal guardian, has been proposed by JCCA, the Jewish Child Care Association, at the Pleasantville Cottage School.
The Cottage School currently houses children with developmental conditions. JCAA has a contract with the US Office of Refugee Resettlement to care for migrant children who have no legal guardian and wants to house those children at the Cottage School.
The Town of Mount Pleasant and Fulgenzi oppose the housing of migrant children in Pleasantville. Before the migrant crisis, Fulgenzi called for the closing of the Cottage School because of incidents which required police activity.
“As we disclosed last year, JCCA is attempting to house migrant children. We have contended time and time again that their facility is unsafe for the population they serve, let alone anymore residents. Their staff is regularly put in danger and our emergency services are constantly being pulled to the campus for unruly behavior. How can we trust they would properly care for these additional children,” said Fulgenzi.
The Town has issued emergency orders against permitting migrant relocations at the Cottage School.
The JCCA then sued the town, claiming that the Town’s actions have illegally prohibited them from fulfilling the contract that they have with the Federal Government.
The Town then sued JCCA, seeking an order preventing any children in the care of the federal government from coming to the Cottage School. A judge has issued a temporary restraining order until arguments can be heard.
While the issue is now in the courts, Supervisor Fulgenzi has become one of the strongest advocates against migrants coming to Westchester.
The legality of issuing Emergency Orders to prohibit migrants from coming into local and county governments in New York is not yet settled law. Rockland and Putnam Counties have issued emergency orders and have not yet seen any legal new arrivals. New York City has also eased up on its efforts to locate migrants to Westchester and upstate. Overall, the three Westchester locations where migrants are housed have been quiet and without serious incident. This May will mark one year since their arrival in Westchester.
