When it comes to any significant event, whether it’s a small gathering or a major occasion, careful planning is essential. As a mother of two boys, I’ve hosted countless parties for birthdays, graduations, and other milestones. And just like a successful party planner, a good lawmaker understands that attention to detail is key.
Let’s stick with the party-planner analogy for a moment. Are there enough tables and chairs? Do we have ample food and refreshments? And what about the RSVPs? While these questions may seem trivial in the context of a party, they highlight the stark contrast between proper planning and the lack thereof in addressing the migrant crisis in Albany County.
In the past few months, New York City has sent approximately 700 migrants to our communities. These individuals reportedly speak 13 languages other than English, including Faroese and Wolof. The gender split is said to be 80% male and 20% female, but we haven’t been given information about how many are part of families or are single.
We have been informed that 40 school-age children are being enrolled in the North Colonie school district. However, it’s perplexing that out of almost 500 migrants in the sanctuary city of Albany, there are zero school-age children. This places an unfair burden solely on the taxpayers in Colonie.
There is still much we don’t know. This lack of preparedness clearly demonstrates how ill-equipped our county is to handle this humanitarian emergency caused by the federal government.
Earlier this year, my Republican colleagues and I offered our Democratic counterparts an opportunity to collaborate on a plan by tracking the impact of these newcomers on social services spending. Unfortunately, they declined this chance and voted against our legislation along party lines.
The Biden administration itself recently informed Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams that no further relief will be provided until New York addresses the “structural and operational” issues related to this crisis. This includes the crucial information gathering and planning that my fellow Republicans and I have been advocating for months.
Recently, I joined my Republican colleagues in urging the Albany County executive to halt the acceptance of more migrants from New York City until a comprehensive plan is put in place. I believe this is a reasonable request, and it aligns with the opinions of the majority of New Yorkers, as indicated by a recent Siena College poll.
Think back to the last significant endeavor you undertook, whether it was organizing a party, studying for a test, or planning a trip. The larger the undertaking, the more planning was required, right? Would you ever forget to take an accurate head count or neglect to prepare adequately? Responsible individuals always ensure that important questions in life have comprehensive answers. These are the same questions that our county should be asking as we tackle this crisis.
This is not about being against immigration. This is about rejecting chaos and advocating for effective planning.
Jennifer Whalen is the Albany County legislator for District 21, which includes parts of Loudonville and Latham.
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