Sullivan declares state of emergency, citing migrants' arrival could cripple county
Chairman of the Legislature Robert Doherty says the county relies on tourism, which could take a hit if the county's 2,000 hotel rooms end up taken by migrants.
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Sullivan leaders declared a state of emergency Thursday, saying the newest group of migrants to come to the Hudson Valley could cripple the county.
Migrants arrived earlier in the day to the Knights Inn in Liberty.
County leaders say New York City told them, with less than 24 hours' notice, that 80 migrants would be placed between two hotels.
Sullivan County has slightly different concerns from other counties in the Hudson Valley.
Chairman of the Legislature Robert Doherty said the Knights Inn is home to a number of the county's homeless population. He is concerned they will be kicked out.
He also said the county relies on tourism, which could take a hit if the county's 2,000 hotel rooms end up taken by migrants.
Sullivan's population swells in the summer and autumn from 78,000 to over 300,000 people.
"That is when most of the money is made in the county from different stores and activities and they're looking to put a crimp on that to solve a problem that was very solvable two years ago," Doherty said.
Doherty added that the county is considering legal options to keep more migrants from arriving.
