Orange County declares state of emergency in response to NYC plan to bus asylum seekers to Newburgh
“New York City, a self-declared sanctuary city, must develop a plan to respond to the human services needs of these individuals. However, that should not include Orange County, and I am opposed to these asylum seekers being sent to our communities,” said County Executive Steve Neuhaus.
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Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus ordered local hotels not to house asylum-seekers being sent to the county by leaders of New York City on Monday.
“New York City, a self-declared sanctuary city, must develop a plan to respond to the human services needs of these individuals. However, that should not include Orange County, and I am opposed to these asylum seekers being sent to our communities,” he said.
He says New York City Mayor Eric Adams told him the city was overwhelmed by the 60,000 migrants who have arrived in the city over the last year and needs surrounding counties to share the burden.
In his emergency declaration, Neuhaus says hotels are not meant for long-term occupancy, and says that the county will enforce its zoning laws.
Already, there are flyers circulating that encourage asylum seekers to come to Hudson Valley hotels, including the Crossroads Hotel in the Town of Newburgh.
MORE: ‘It can’t work.’ Rockland officials rip NYC plan to send migrants to Hudson Valley
Neuhaus says this plan would have gone over much better if Mayor Adams were clear about their living arrangements, a security plan and length of stay.
"Those assurances have not been put forth to me, Rockland County or the Town of Newburgh. We're concerned. What are these individuals going to do and who's going to be responsible for them?” he asked.
Neuhaus tells News 12 he just learned of another hotel in the Town of Newburgh that the city has contacted seeking rooms for migrants.
