New York is currently experiencing a crisis that bears resemblance to the economic downturn of 1975, when the city faced immense challenges. This crisis stems from the influx of migrants and the Biden administration’s failures at the southern border. Since spring 2022, more than 93,000 migrants have arrived in New York, with many resorting to sleeping on sidewalks and searching for basic necessities. The city has been pleading for assistance from the federal government, but the promised $135 million in aid has not yet materialized, leaving Mayor Eric Adams’s estimated cost of over $4 billion unaddressed. The administration’s proposed solution of turning Central Park into a migrant tent city is both absurd and detrimental to the city’s well-being.
It is time to explore new and innovative approaches to handle the deplorable conditions faced by migrants in New York. While we are compassionate and empathetic towards their plight, it is unfeasible for our recovering city, grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic and inflation, to absorb the existing influx of migrants. To effectively address this issue, we propose a three-part agenda:
Firstly, it is crucial for the mayor, governor, and legislative leaders to unite and mobilize toward a march on Washington. Merely making polite requests for additional federal funds is no longer sufficient. Regardless of party affiliations, all elected officials must impress upon the Biden administration the significance of addressing our city’s needs. However, we acknowledge that such efforts may be unlikely to materialize, given the upcoming presidential election and the perception of President Joe Biden’s weak stance on immigration.
Secondly, elected leaders in New York must consider a voluntary repatriation policy. Allowing people to live on our streets without adequate services is unacceptable. If the federal government fails to allocate funds for their care or address the underlying issues that led to their presence in the country, it falls upon us as New Yorkers to offer a humane option of repatriation to those who came here with genuine hopes for a better life. If we cannot fulfill their aspirations, we should facilitate their resettlement in their home countries and ensure a seamless transition.
Lastly, to bolster the significance of the previous proposals, it is not unreasonable to suggest relocating a select number of willing migrants to cities in the southern United States, such as Palm Beach, Tallahassee, or Austin. However, we must emphasize that our intention is to provide humane treatment and support to migrants who have arrived in New York, enabling them to lead successful lives. If the city, state, and federal governments manage to secure the necessary $4 billion, we would wholeheartedly support an integrative program that offers affordable housing, support services, nutrition guidance, and job training.
Unfortunately, achieving this goal seems impractical at this stage, considering the strained budget of the city, the state of the economy, and the burden on citizens. Through these proposals, we aim to draw attention to the local crisis overwhelming our city and depict the humanitarian crisis faced by migrants. Most importantly, we seek to make it clear to the rest of the country that New Yorkers refuse to accept politicians who neglect their responsibility to show humanity, compassion, and accountability.
Douglas Schoen, a former adviser to Bill Clinton, and Andrew Stein, the former New York City Council president, jointly present these proposals in the hope of addressing the pressing challenges faced by New York City and its migrant population.
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