Suffolk County Responds to the Immigration Crisis

The contentious issue of illegal migrants' resettlement in New York City has stirred up concern in Suffolk County, with the County's Republican representatives considering legal intervention. In light of the constant arrival of alleged asylum seekers in New York City, they revealed a plan to hire legal counsel to probe potential actions to prevent the housing of undocumented migrants in Suffolk County. However, the County's jurisdiction to suspend such resettlement remains to be determined.

Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), the legislature's presiding officer, unveiled the plan to vote on a proposal to appoint legal counsel. The primary goal is to shield Suffolk County from the financial burden of accommodating so-called asylum seekers. Despite withholding specifics, McCaffrey expressed the pressing concern that even if New York City finances the migrants' housing, their influx could strain county services and schools, pressuring the County's resources funded primarily by local taxpayers. He emphasized, however, that this is not an opposition to immigration but a measure to safeguard the County's resources. In a statement to the press, U.S. Representative Nick Lalota (R-Long Island) asserted, "We here in Suffolk County are 2,000 miles from the southern border, but we are to become a border county because of the Biden administration's failed border policy and the sanctuary-city policies of New York City, which has tended to become a magnet drawing people across that southern border.

"I say to the mayor of New York City, 'Sir, put your money where your mouth is,'" Lalota said." 'Those are your choices, sir. Now it's time to put up the money and the resources to accept the consequences of those public choices.' "

New York City, under Mayor Eric Adams, is currently home to 42,000 migrants, expecting to spend about $4 billion for their care. No formal requests have been made yet to house migrants in Suffolk and Nassau counties.

Minerva Perez, Executive Director of the Organización Latino Americana (OLA) of Eastern Long Island, Inc., countered the narrative of a flood of migrants pouring into the area while recognizing the potential strain on resources. She criticized the prospective legal defense expenditure and suggested a more focused approach to addressing community issues, such as mental health. Perez emphasized that seeking asylum is lawful and said that narratives suggesting otherwise are "political dog whistles and fear-mongering."

Yvette Aguiar, Riverhead's Town Supervisor, declared a state of emergency on May 16 in response to rumors of undocumented immigrants arriving from New York City, mirroring actions taken by Nassau and Rockland counties. She issued an executive order to prevent the transportation and relocation of these individuals to Riverhead's hotels and motels by New York City's Department of Homeless Services.

A representative of Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone denied any arrangements with the County regarding the housing of migrants. Aguiar stated that her executive order would be distributed to potential host facilities in Riverhead by the local police department to ensure compliance with the order.

Brookhaven Supervisor Edward Romaine voiced concern over the potential impact on taxpayers, especially school districts. He emphasized that localities should not bear the burden of illegal immigration, asserting that this is a national issue requiring robust border control.

The discussion is a direct fallout from the expiration of the Trump-era COVID-19 policy, Title 42, leading Mayor Eric Adams to anticipate the arrival of an estimated 65,000 migrants sent to the city by states like Texas, Florida, and Arizona.

As discussions continue and legal actions unfold, Suffolk County faces the complexities and challenges of sanctuary city policies and the influx of undocumented and what many believe are unvetted migrants. In response to these concerns, NYS Senator Dean Murray and NYS Assemblyman Ed Flood introduced N.Y. Combating Alien Recidivism and End Sanctuary (NY-CARES) Act to address the economic and public safety consequences of sanctuary city policies. Expressing his concerns, Brookhaven Supervisor Edward Romaine said, "The impact of immigrants on taxpayers of this County, particularly school districts, is of great concern. This is a national issue. As a government and as a nation, we should be capable of safeguarding our borders. Localities should not bear the brunt of the issues of illegal immigration, including services, housing, health care, and education. Neither the Town of Brookhaven nor Suffolk County can absorb these costs, which would ultimately fall on the taxpayer." However, according to Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, Governor Kathy Hochul assured him in a conversation that there were no plans to ship migrants to the East End. Schneiderman raised the question, "Are we chasing something that doesn't exist?"

Meanwhile, Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth echoed sentiments supporting legal immigration, stating, "We need more legal immigration," but pointed out that the illegal immigration process and chaos at the southern border were causing a national crisis and embarrassment.

The Suffolk County Supervisors Association has voiced its support and delivered a strong message to federal government officials. The emergency order, enacted by Supervisor Yvette Aguiar, received backing from association Chairman Rich Schaffer and Vice Chair Angie Carpenter.

In a joint statement, Schaffer and Carpenter stressed, "The issue regarding migrants and their placement in New York State is the sole responsibility of our FEDERAL government officials...the President, and both Houses of Congress. They all need to step up, stop finger-pointing, and finally figure out how to handle this issue. Fix the system like we have been asking them to do for years. It should not, and cannot be left to local governments to shoulder this burden or take on the responsibility for this issue."

This declaration drew bipartisan agreement, uniting all ten Suffolk County Supervisors in their stance. In reaction to the show of unity, Supervisor Aguiar stated, "I am pleased to have the support of my fellow Supervisors on this critically important issue and will continue to preserve the health, welfare, and safety of all Riverhead residents. This catastrophe is not of our own doing, and I will not stand by and let the Federal government's mismanagement of this issue fall on the shoulders of the Riverhead taxpayers. No way, not on my watch!"