Migrants bused in from New York City arrived at the Red Roof PLUS+ hotel in Poughkeepsie late Sunday afternoon amid a state of emergency in Dutchess County.
The Poughkeepsie hotel is one of many locations Mayor Eric Adams had planned to bus migrants from Manhattan in order to make room for more incoming asylum seekers.
Organizations For the Many and the Democratic Socialists of America waited outside the hotel for their arrival earlier in the day.
Prior to their arrival, there were concerns that the state of emergency declared by Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O'Neil could interfere with Adams’ plans to send them to the hotel.
“The safety and security of Dutchess County residents is our paramount concern, and we are issuing a state of emergency to protect the county and its residents as we continue to research all legal options,” O'Neil said in a previously released statement.
More than 40 migrants arrived in the first busload and approximately 40 more arrived soon thereafter.
Coordinators of the effort in Poughkeepsie declined to confirm drop-off times because of what they described as security reasons.
"I want everybody to know that New York City is paying for these rooms and one meal a day for least four months," said Town of Wappinger Chair Robin Licari, stressing the point that the temporary care and housing for the migrants is not costing taxpayer dollars. She said any negative response to the migrant crisis is unnecessary.
"I've heard a lot of negativity, OK? And the truth is, I just wanted these people to be welcomed with warm hearts," Licari added.
In the wake of the county's legal actions, there is no word on whether any more migrants will arrive in Dutchess in the future.
