A bipartisan call to action from New York City lawmakers demands Mayor Eric Adams tackle gang infiltration in migrant shelters.
At a Glance
- A bipartisan group of legislators is pressuring Mayor Eric Adams to address gang presence in migrant shelters.
- Joe Borelli, Council Minority Leader, highlights the city’s struggle with the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua.
- High criminal activity in shelters includes thefts, assaults, and sex trafficking.
- Mayor Adams acknowledges safety concerns but notes criminal checks are not standard for migrants entering shelters.
Lawmakers Demand Action
A bipartisan group of New York City legislators is urging Mayor Eric Adams to take decisive steps to remove gang members from city-run migrant shelters. Led by Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli, the group is focusing on the reputed Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, which is suspected of participating in numerous criminal activities within these shelters. These include theft, robbery, assault, sex trafficking, and even murder, according to reports.
The letter to the mayor, supported by both Democratic and Republican council members, underscores the need to separate criminal elements from the city’s migrant facilities.
“It has become evident that foreign-based criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua have been using taxpayer-funded shelters across the city as a base for their illicit activities,” Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli stated, further stressing that shelters should not serve as a haven for criminals.
Armed with reports from witnesses and law enforcement data, the letter points to a rise in crime rates around shelter areas. In fact, arrest rates within city shelters have surged, with a projected 64% increase for 2023 compared to previous figures.
Legislators argue that engaging in criminal activity should disqualify individuals from staying in taxpayer-funded housing. “We believe it is a reasonable standard to require that residents of taxpayer-funded housing do not commit crimes or associate with those who do,” Borelli also said.
Response from City Leadership
Mayor Eric Adams has acknowledged the concerns raised by the bipartisan group, expressing his agreement with the need to keep shelter residents safe from the threat of violence. Despite these challenges, he noted that criminal background checks are not routinely conducted on incoming migrants, though violations could result in expulsion from shelters.
Adams addressed the legislative concerns by reiterating, “No one should come here to our city and inflict violence on everyday New Yorkers.”
The Tren de Aragua gang has prominently expanded its influence, even recruiting young teens into criminal undertakings within the United States. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has reported gang-related arrests, such as a man who assaulted NYPD officers, further underscoring the issues ingrained in shelter communities. In addressing these emerging threats, the role of public safety officers and ongoing legislative pressure remains critical.
What sane person is staying in NYC at this point?
