Migrants arrive at Poughkeepsie hotel amid state of emergency in Dutchess County

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 New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ plans to send them to the hotel.

News 12 Staff

May 21, 2023, 3:20 PM

Updated 432 days ago

Share:

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.


More from News 12
1:52
Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

2:04
Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

0:38
Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

0:49
New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

0:49
Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

0:32
Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

0:17
Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

1:40
Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

0:52
Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

0:37
2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

1:30
Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

0:56
News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

1:02
Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

1:37
Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

2:33
Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

0:32
NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:34
Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

0:40
Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

0:34
Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued

Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued