NYC Students Removed From High School To Accommodate 2,000 Migrants

New York City officials evacuated students from a Brooklyn high school to accommodate the relocation of nearly 2,000 migrants.

Daily Mail reports that New York City officials evacuated students from a Brooklyn high school to accommodate the relocation of nearly 2,000 migrants from Floyd Bennett Field in anticipation of a storm. Republican Councilwoman Inna Vernikov criticized the situation, sharing a video that showed migrants entering James Madison High School without undergoing the usual facial recognition scan the students receive.

City Hall referred to the migrants as “guests” and called it a temporary stay. The evacuation commenced before 5 p.m. on Jan. 10, and prompted NYC school officials to announce remote classes for the evacuated students.

Local residents expressed frustration and skepticism, with one resident, identified as Rob, calling it a “litmus test” and predicting an extended stay through the summer. Another woman confronted the buses, unhappy over the decision to displace students and the impact it could have on their education.

The decision to relocate migrants was justified by City Hall, citing an updated forecast predicting severe weather conditions with winds exceeding 70 mph.

A statement from City Hall read, “The health and safety of migrants in our care is always a top priority, which is why we are currently overseeing the relocation of 1,900 guests from the humanitarian emergency response and relief center at Floyd Bennett Field due to an updated forecast with increased wind speeds estimated to be at over 70 MPH tonight.”

Elon Musk weighed in on the situation, posting a video and warning about the consequences of running out of accommodations, which could cause a strain on schools and even people’s homes.

Republican Councilwoman Joann Ariola criticized Mayor Adams’ handling of the migrant crisis, emphasizing her previous warnings about potential issues at the Floyd Bennett shelter.

The evacuation coincides with Adams’ plan to alleviate pressure on the city’s shelter system by imposing a 60-day limit on shelter stays for migrant families. The first batch of families left a midtown Manhattan hotel as part of this strategy, according to Daily Mail.

Mayor Adams, a Democrat, has repeatedly sought federal funding to address the strain on city resources caused by the influx of migrants. He estimates the city will spend $12 billion over the next three years to manage the crisis, which could lead to proposed budget cuts in departments including the NYPD and education.

Adams’ plea for additional resources from the federal government continues to face challenges, leaving the city to grapple with the ongoing complexities of the migrant crisis.