In a Facebook address on Wednesday night, Steve Neuhaus, Orange County Executive, declared that immigrants from New York City will not be relocating to Newburgh to reside in motels in the foreseeable future.
It was anticipated that numerous refugees would be sent to Orange County on Wednesday, despite the emergency situation proclaimed by Neuhaus earlier in the week. However, Neuhaus declared that after having some “intense” talks with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the plans were altered and the county executive promised to keep opposing any attempts to move the refugees to Orange County.
Neuhaus highlighted that the US is a nation of immigrants which makes it strong. He further said that federal government needs to provide guidance on the issue of immigration and there must be a plan in place to carry it out, which is what is causing frustration.
Fabien Levy, a spokesperson for the Adams administration, released a statement Wednesday night around 10 p.m., indicating that talks are still in progress, but the city intends to move migrants to Orange County. Levy stated that, even though we have taken a break for the night, our objective remains the same.
Gil Piaquadio, the Mayor of Newburgh, declared that the Crossroads Hotel, situated in the town, cannot function as a shelter and that the authorities of the local government will execute town regulations.
Adams stated that migrants would be moved to Rockland County for temporary residency, however, Rockland County declared a state of emergency. Consequently, a Supreme Court judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the Armoni Inn and Suites in Orangeburg, a village located in Orangetown, Rockland County, from providing lodging for the migrants.
Neuhaus stated that within the next day, county leaders from New York will have a conversation with Adams to explore potential solutions and analyze the current state of affairs.
In a correspondence to Senator Chuck Schumer on Wednesday, Dutchess County Executive William O’Neil expressed his “valid worries” among the population and elected representatives, requesting a “unified reducing strategy” for cities receiving immigrants, and stated that placing them “in local hotels is not a solution – it results in more issues than it solves … This is not a humane or rational solution.”
