Suffolk County authorities have revealed plans to explore legal options to potentially prevent an influx of migrants from New York City into the suburban county.
The announcement was made by Kevin McCaffrey, the Republican county-legislature leader, amid pro-immigrant protests at a press conference on Sunday, May 21st. McCaffrey stressed that the county’s stance was not against immigration, but was driven by the lack of sufficient resources in the county to cater to the needs of the migrant population.
The county leader accused the federal government of failing in its immigration policies and questioned the strain this would place on local law enforcement. The move is also seen as a response to what McCaffrey termed as “the failure of President Biden and New York City Mayor Eric Adams to address the situation” adequately.
The lawmakers pointed to the projected $4.3 billion that New York City plans to spend on services and housing for migrants, which exceeds the entire budget of Suffolk County by over $1 billion. McCaffrey argued that the county couldn’t bear the brunt of the costs passed on by the federal and state governments.
The move comes as New York City grapples with a significant surge in migrants seeking asylum after crossing the United States border from Mexico. Mayor Adams stated that the city has processed over 70,000 migrants and currently caring for 42,000. He appealed for more assistance from the White House to alleviate the city’s migrant burden.
Adams’ office asserted that the city requires help to manage the unprecedented influx of migrants and urged other counties, cities, and towns across the state to contribute. However, Suffolk County officials countered, stating that NYC is merely shifting the problem onto them.
In his remarks, U.S. Representative Nick Lalota (R-Long Island) emphasized the importance of adhering to rules and laws to maintain the country’s greatness. He criticized New York City’s “sanctuary city” status and accused them of attracting people across the southern border. Lalota urged Mayor Adams to provide the necessary funds and resources to tackle the consequences of the city’s policy choices.
