A lawsuit challenging the emergency orders in Rockland and Orange counties meant to block migrants from being housed in hotels there was filed Thursday by the New York Civil Liberties Union, the organization announced. 

The lawsuit is the latest legal challenge in the increasingly contentious situation as more migrants are expected to enter New York in the coming days, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams contends with the fallout from a voluntary program to move people north. 

County executives in Rockland and Orange announced emergency orders that in effect would block hotels from accepting migrants. Counties in other areas of the state have followed suit. 

The New York Civil Liberties Union called the orders illegal. 

“Orange and Rockland County’s Emergency Orders egregiously violate migrants’ rights,” said Amy Belsher, the group's director of Immigration Rights' Litigation. “Migrants have every right to travel and reside anywhere in New York, free of xenophobic harassment and discrimination. People are not political pawns – both counties should welcome migrants into their communities, not unlawfully bar them from seeking refuge.”

The lawsuit comes a day after Rockland County won a temporary injunction to prevent the housing of migrants at a hotel. Rockland County officials pointed to the result as a sign they were on firm legal footing. 

“We normally don’t comment on pending litigation however we feel strongly that what we are doing is right and legal as witnessed by the court’s Temporary Restraining Order granted Thursday," said Beth Cefalu, a spokeswoman for the county. 

Justin Rodriguez, an Orange County spokesman, said officials there were yet to be served with the lawsuit. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday told reporters her office was reviewing the constitutionality of the counties' orders. On Thursday, Hochul said her office was working to identify potential sites to house migrants, though she did not provide specific locations.