Amid escalating fears of impending Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids under President Donald Trump's administration, migrants are increasingly vacating New York City shelters to evade potential detention and deportation. Venezuelan migrant Kervin Nava, 31, expressed his apprehension, stating, "It is better to leave before," as he arranged to depart a Long Island City shelter.
Mayor Eric Adams has indicated that New York City's sanctuary laws prohibit local agencies from assisting ICE in deportation efforts, unless cases involve suspected terrorists or significant public safety threats.
Despite a decrease in migrant arrivals, with shelter occupancy dropping from over 65,000 to under 51,000, the city is closing large facilities like those at Randall's Island and Floyd Bennett Field.
While the planned ICE raids have been postponed to maintain the element of surprise, the pervasive fear among migrants underscores the profound impact of federal policies on vulnerable communities. As the city navigates these challenges, the question remains: how will New York balance its sanctuary commitments with the evolving federal immigration landscape?
