Emergency orders blocking migrant arrivals in Orange, Rockland scrutinized in federal court

NYCLU attorneys argued in court that the counties' orders violate migrants constitutional and civil rights by preventing them from freely traveling and obtaining a place to stay based on their nationality.

Nadia Galindo

Jun 1, 2023, 9:26 PM

Updated 336 days ago

Share:

Executive orders blocking migrant arrivals in Rockland and Orange counties were scrutinized in a White Plains federal courtroom on Thursday.
The hearing comes after the New York Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit against the counties for the orders that prevent the arrival of migrants relocated from New York City.
Judge Nelson Roman postponed a decision granting an extension on the case.
NYCLU attorneys argued in court that the counties' orders violate migrants' constitutional and civil rights by preventing them from freely traveling and obtaining a place to stay based on their nationality.
"Usually you have to look really hard to find some intent to discriminate, but here it's right on the face of it - no migrants or asylum seekers,” said Amy Belsher, NYCLU director of immigrants’ rights litigation.
Roman stated in court that the orders “smelled of Jim Crow laws.”
"He was referring I think Jim Crow era as a way of saying that’s the last time we've seen something this blatant,” said Belsher.
As News 12 has reported, Orange County has seen 180 asylum seekers bused from New York City now living in county hotels.
Rockland was slated to receive migrants, but currently has not as of yet.
"It's not about where they're from. It's not about whatever group that they might belong to,” said Thomas Humbach, Rockland County attorney. “It's a fact that these folks have a lack of resources. They cannot work."
Humbach and Vincent Crowe, the attorney representing Orange County, argued in court their respective county orders are not discriminatory. They instead focused their arguments on New York City's program that buses migrants to the Hudson Valley.
"This is something that has to be handled by a dialog between the county executive and the mayor, and the lack of coordination, the lack of planning,” said Crowe. “It's atrocious what, what the city of New York is attempting to do throughout the metropolitan area."
In the end, Roman postponed a decision and granted an extension.
All parties have until 2 p.m. Monday to submit briefs to Roman, who expressed concern over whether a ruling on this case could impact a state Supreme Court case being heard in Rockland County regarding housing migrants in hotels.


More from News 12
1:44
SUNY Purchase students start pro-Palestinian encampment

SUNY Purchase students start pro-Palestinian encampment

2:22
Partly sunny, light breeze for Friday in the Hudson Valley; afternoon showers for Saturday

Partly sunny, light breeze for Friday in the Hudson Valley; afternoon showers for Saturday

2:48
Pro-Palestinian encampment remains at SUNY New Paltz campus

Pro-Palestinian encampment remains at SUNY New Paltz campus

0:22
Mount Vernon police: No injuries reported following shots fired incident

Mount Vernon police: No injuries reported following shots fired incident

0:32
Rep. Ryan calls for planned Central Hudson rate increase to be denied

Rep. Ryan calls for planned Central Hudson rate increase to be denied

0:21
Yonkers Art unveils 2 new exhibits ahead of weekend festival

Yonkers Art unveils 2 new exhibits ahead of weekend festival

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

0:33
Dobbs Ferry man facing federal charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition

Dobbs Ferry man facing federal charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition

1:47
Ex-Monticello officer who admitted to sex assault of underage teen reinstated to department after arrest

Ex-Monticello officer who admitted to sex assault of underage teen reinstated to department after arrest

0:36
Police: Woman arrested in connection to student brawl outside Yonkers school

Police: Woman arrested in connection to student brawl outside Yonkers school

1:44
Poughkeepsie leaders ask public for help to find troubled teens before tragedy strikes

Poughkeepsie leaders ask public for help to find troubled teens before tragedy strikes

1:02
Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for completion of New Rochelle affordable housing development

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for completion of New Rochelle affordable housing development

0:32
Bedford School District to receive more money aid, boost in funding from state

Bedford School District to receive more money aid, boost in funding from state

0:30
Blooming Grove highway worker seriously injured during tree removal

Blooming Grove highway worker seriously injured during tree removal

0:23
Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester

Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester

3:52
I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

0:28
SPCA Westchester launches first mobile adoption unit

SPCA Westchester launches first mobile adoption unit

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

1:44
Exploring the Westchester children's museum: A journey of play and discovery

Exploring the Westchester children's museum: A journey of play and discovery

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows