Riverhead NY
5-17-2023 7:35pm

No Vacancy: Inns, Hotels In Riverhead Barred From Accepting Migrants Amid Expected Influx

Officials in a Long Island town are taking measures to prevent hotels and similar accommodations from hosting asylum seekers as a result of the anticipated rise in migrants from New York City.

On May 16, the Town of Riverhead declared a State of Emergency and prohibited hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and other "transient lodging units" from accommodating migrants or asylum seekers within the town's boundaries.

Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar issued an executive order following the revelation that the New York City Department of Homeless Services had contacted Riverhead's hotels and motels to inquire about the availability of accommodations for transporting migrants from the city.

Aguiar stated that hundreds or even thousands of individuals may be transported to the Town of Riverhead, and there is a justifiable concern for the possibility of an imminent public emergency.

According to the declaration, the Riverhead Central School District is reportedly facing the risk of being overwhelmed by incoming migrants, as its enrollments are already at or near full capacity.

According to the order, the Town of Riverhead is facing the practical and socioeconomic effects of a natural influx of people into the town and the Riverhead Central School District. Currently, the town is responsible for providing and dealing with a larger amount of low-income housing in comparison to neighboring municipalities.

Riverhead has already made a considerable effort in comparison to neighboring townships in the East End and Suffolk County as a whole by providing accommodations for the homeless, affordable housing, and other services. However, the town's resources and taxpayers cannot sustain an increased demand for public services.

Aguiar stated that if hotels or short-term facilities in Riverhead accommodate migrants, they will be subject to "refusal or eviction" due to local zoning codes. This, in turn, may lead to a significant increase in homelessness.

As per the executive order, the Town of Riverhead should be reimbursed by New York City for all the expenses related to the relocation of asylum seekers.

The declaration of the State of Emergency on Tuesday mirrors declarations made in Orange and Rockland counties in the Hudson Valley, which were made after Mayor Eric Adams of New York City revealed that he intended to transport numerous asylum seekers to the area to be housed temporarily in motels.

According to Adams, the plan is to offer temporary shelter for up to four months, in New York counties adjacent to the city, to single-adult men who are seeking asylum and already under the care of New York City.

The plan originated from the anticipation of a potential increase in migrants arriving in the city once Title 42, a federal policy that enabled authorities to promptly reject migrants at the US-Mexico border, elapsed.

CNN reports that, although there were concerns about a large number of migrants arriving at the southern border, the actual influx of migrants has been much narrower than anticipated after the expiry of the policy on May 11th.

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