By Megan Malone
On Feb. 12, New York City implemented a curfew between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. at 20 more migrant shelters due to the health and safety of the migrants in the city and for New Yorkers in surrounding communities.
As anxiety rises about migrant crime, the new curfew would apply to about 3,600 migrants- nearly half of whom are single, adult men. The largest emergency centers in Long Island City, Queens, will house almost 1,000 migrants.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams initially placed a curfew on four shelters last month in response to neighborhood complaints. Though it is still being determined why this handful of shelters was selected for the curfew, it could have to do with the number of people staying there. This group of shelters is mainly made up of small hotels.
“New York City continues to lead the nation in managing this national humanitarian crisis, including prioritizing the health and safety of both asylum seekers in our care and New Yorkers who live in the communities surrounding the emergency shelters we manage,” City Hall spokesperson Kayla Mamelak said.
The additional curfews come after police officials have reported a series of migrant-related violence and crime.
A 15-year-old teen from Venezuela was arrested Friday for opening fire in Times Square and injuring a tourist from Brazil. The teen was fleeing from police after being stopped by security for suspected shoplifting.
A video showing a group of migrants fighting with police in Times Square last month also went viral and led to several arrests.
Eyewitness News from ABC7 New York spoke to some migrants whom the new curfew will impact. The migrants said they do not mind the new rule as long as those who have work can stay out past 11 p.m., which they can.
Many migrants have young children, and if they are not working, they usually sleep by 11 p.m. anyway, so they do not feel affected by the implemented curfew.
Considering the location of the shelters is in areas that usually have a lot of nightlife traffic, which means noise, drinking, and partying, some residents of NYC are concerned for the safety of the migrants.
“I don’t see how that, when people are drinking, and they’re high, that necessarily mixes with a family with small children, who have just come to the city,” said Mike Murphy, who lives near one of the migrant shelters.
Some residents even welcome the migrants and want them there for their health and safety.
“We are a nation of immigrants. There are 100 reasons why we need them. This doesn’t bother us. This makes our country wonderful, and the rest of the nation needs to understand that. As long as we have room, that’s fine,” said Pamela Mincey, who lives near one of the migrant shelters.
There are more than 200 emergency shelters housing migrants across the city, which may also experience curfews in the future.
