The city is continuing to look for space to house migrants, but no matter how urban, suburban or isolated an area is, these shelters seem to find push back from community members.

“I know there are a lot of people coming, but I haven’t seen any protests,” said Jesus Ramos, a migrant from Venezuela.

Wednesday was his first day at the Randall’s Island migrant shelter. Ramos arrived to the city on Tuesday after a two-month trek from Venezuela to New York.

What You Need To Know

  • The city continues to grapple with the influx of migrants filling emergency shelters up to capacity

  • From Floyd Bennett Field to the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, neighbors are demanding the city find alternative housing for migrants

  • Commissioner of Emergency Management Zach Iscol said officials saw a surge in migrant arrivals last week with an average of more than 600 people arriving daily

“Everything is OK inside. Except there are too many beds inside,” Ramos said.

The 1,000 beds inside the Randall’s Island shelter are needed. The city continues to grapple with the influx of migrants filling emergency shelters up to capacity.

As Ramos begins to find his way in a new country with the hope of becoming a legal citizen, protestors want the shelter he’s temporarily calling home somewhere else.

“I’m uncomfortable, but I’m here,” Ramos said.

From Floyd Bennett Field to the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, neighbors are demanding the city find alternative housing for migrants.

“Our community is being destroyed, and I’m not the only one who feels like this,” said Yolanda Ardezzone, a Bellerose resident.

The city has opened more than 200 shelters for migrants.

As shelters continue to fill up, the city’s Commissioner of Emergency Management Zach Iscol said officials saw a surge in migrant arrivals last week with an average of more than 600 people arriving daily.

“We continue to look for additional sites. We continue to look for increased support from the state. And certainly we continue to ask for real support from the federal government,” Iscol said.

Since last Spring, more than 100,000 migrants have come to the city seeking shelter. More than half of them are still in the city’s care.

Ramos, like many others, said he’s anxious to find a way to care for himself.

“I just want legal status and a stable life, a good life,” Ramos said.

There are two ways elected leaders are looking to move migrants out of the shelters and free up space.

Mayor Eric Adams instituted a policy leaving migrants only 60 days in shelters before they either have to find alternative housing or to reapply for shelter.

Politicians in the city are also pleading with the federal government for expediting work authorization.