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On Monday evening, May 29, a bus of approximately 40 male asylum seekers arrived at the Ramada Hotel in Albany, located on Watervliet Avenue, “at the direction of New York City,” a city spokesperson confirmed to Daily Voice.
It came one day after a bus of another 40 asylum seekers arrived at the same hotel.
A bus of approximately 25 asylum seekers arrived in the Town of Colonie on Saturday evening, May 27, officials said.
“At this point we are unaware of any additional buses arriving in Albany,” David Galin, chief of staff for Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, told Daily Voice.
The program would “provide up to four months of temporary sheltering” outside of New York City to single-adult men seeking asylum who are already in the city’s care,” Mayor Eric Adams previously said.
The move stemmed from an expected surge in migrants into the city following the expiration of what’s known as Title 42, a federal policy that allowed authorities to quickly turn away migrants at the US-Mexico border.
Several counties have issued State of Emergency declarations in response to the program, including Orange and Rockland counties.
On Tuesday, May 23, Dutchess County was granted a temporary restraining order after several busloads of migrants and asylum seekers arrived in the county.
The order prevents the New York City Mayor's Office and Department of Homeless Services from transporting any additional homeless adults or minor individuals in temporary shelters in New York City to Dutchess County, including, the Red Roof Inn at 2349 South Road and the Holiday Inn at 2170 South Road, both in Poughkeepsie.
In addition, Dutchess County officials maintain the right to make safety inspections at both hotels, officials said.
"The City of New York has been ordered to continue to provide and incur all reasonable expenses for service provided to any individuals who were transported to Dutchess County prior to today’s order," Dutchess County Executive William O'Neil said.
"New York City is required to pay for all reasonable expenses relating to each person’s stay."
The order also requires New York City to provide identification information to county officials for all currently in New York City’s care who are housed at the Red Roof Inn for legitimate purposes, including ensuring all of their needs are being met.
The order is effective until Tuesday, June 20, as the county pursues a permanent order, O'Neil said.
According to the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, all of the individuals are legal asylum seekers that have been vetted, fingerprinted, and identified by the federal government, including background checks.
On Long Island, the Town of Riverhead issued its own State of Emergency barring hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and other “transient lodging units” from accepting any migrants or asylum seekers for housing in town limits.
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