Migrants arrive in Yonkers, long-term plans still up in the air

It wasn't until between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. when about 30 adults and several dozen young children were dropped off by two small charter buses.

News 12 Staff

May 16, 2023, 9:27 AM

Updated 437 days ago

Share:

UPDATE: A news conference with Mayor Mike Spano has ended. Original story is below.
Busloads of migrants from New York City are now in Westchester's largest city after arriving at the Ramada Hotel in Yonkers Monday night.
The buses were rumored to arrive Sunday, but it wasn't until between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. when about 30 adults and several dozen young children were dropped off by two small charter buses.
There was a mix of fear and relief on many of their faces as exhausted kids wrapped in blankets held onto stuffed animals.
Throughout the evening, trucks dropped off prepared meals, supplies and portable cribs for the hotel.
Neither New York City, nor Yonkers has said how long the group of asylum seekers is expected to stay.
The migrants were sent by New York City Mayor Eric Adams to free up room in his city. There has been harsh criticism from Hudson Valley lawmakers on Adams’ handling of the situation and lack of communication.
Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed the situation Monday, saying she's working with the northern suburbs to see what help they can provide.
Meanwhile, County Executive George Latimer says he's reaching out to the federal government to set up a satellite immigration court in Westchester. One of the major issues with immigration in this country is the backlog of court cases determining if migrants who are here should be granted asylum status or sent back to their countries. 
"We're told that they don't have enough judges, fine. The executive authority in Washington should be used to empanel as many judges as is necessary to handle these cases immediately that is a concrete step that will move this process along," says Latimer. "We cannot have people waiting [years] in a motel, in a hotel, in a tent city along the border of Texas."
Latimer says while the migrants wait, the county is ready to provide services such as translation, transportation, and recreational facilities – but promises that would not take away from Westchester residents who need to access those same services.
He also says the federal government needs to work with the state Department of Labor and the county to make sure the migrants have the opportunity to work.
"To track them, to make sure they don't slip out of the system and while they're here, they're not just staying here day after day idly," said Latimer.
RELATED:


More from News 12
1:40
Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

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

1:56
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

0:32
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

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

0:54
Headlines: Drug ring prison sentence, Newburgh felony charge, uptick in car thefts in Briarcliff Manor

Headlines: Drug ring prison sentence, Newburgh felony charge, uptick in car thefts in Briarcliff Manor

0:20
Man sentence to 10 years in prison for running Orange County drug ring

Man sentence to 10 years in prison for running Orange County drug ring

1:18
Town of Wallkill propose noise ordinances at Orange County fairgrounds

Town of Wallkill propose noise ordinances at Orange County fairgrounds

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

Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued