Recent reports have revealed that the Salvation Army has been coordinating the relocation of migrants from California to New York City by providing them with plane tickets.
This effort, funded by FEMA emergency funds, is contributing to the city’s ongoing challenges.
On Wednesday, October 4th, assistance documents from the organization were shared with X revealing that TSA airport staff are given a note saying the migrants “must cross the country,” where they are to await ICE check-ins.
The arrival of migrants via planes comes as New York grapples with the influx of over 120,000 asylum-seeking migrants, prompting officials to seek solutions desperately
Mayor Eric Adams has expressed his concerns, stating last month that the ongoing crisis could potentially “destroy” New York City.
The daily migrant inflow into the city has surged to approximately 600 individuals, more than double from the last year.
Many of these migrants entered the United States through the U.S.-Mexico border, and their movement into the city started around April 2022.
Some migrants were even transported to northern Democratic-run cities via buses from southern states, actions taken by governors like Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida.
The escalating situation has frustrated the city officials, leading Mayor Adams to urge a reconsideration of the “right to shelter” law, emphasizing that the “status quo cannot continue.”
Despite the mounting tensions, the Salvation Army persists in assisting more migrants into the city. Images of their documentation, shared by Viral News NYC on X, revealed their involvement in coordinating the migrants’ journeys.
Some documents even pointed out that a U.S. citizen might accompany the migrants, potentially being their initial airport experience.
Additional shared documents contained memos for airport staff, with one prominently titled: “I do not speak English.”
The charity also facilitates the arrangement of shelter and court dates for the migrants once they arrive in New York.
David Jolley, Director of Communications at The Salvation Army USA, confirmed the charity’s role, stating, “At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, The Salvation Army provides services to migrants released into the country by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.”
He added that these services, fully funded by FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program, could vary and might involve making travel arrangements for migrants to regions where they claim to have relatives.
Jolley emphasized the Salvation Army’s mission, saying, “We provide these services as part of our calling to meet human needs in the name of Jesus Christ without discrimination.”
The current migrant situation has stirred debates among city officials, with the city running out of temporary shelter spaces and facing billions of dollars in debt in the coming years
Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom acknowledged the difficulty, saying, “In recent days, we are seeing a significant surge in arrivals. It is a very frustrating moment for all New Yorkers, as we have been responding to this crisis, managing the inflow – and here we are again seeing spikes in arrival numbers.”
Adams has even embarked on a visit to Mexico to discourage migrants from selecting New York as their destination.
While some critics view this trip as a mere publicity stunt, Adams continues his efforts to address the situation by engaging with local leaders in the region.
