The results are attracting attention after New York City pushed for changes to the ‘Right to Shelter’ ordinance, which has been in effect for over 40 years to resolve the refugee crisis.
New York City is the only major metropolitan city in the United States to have a ‘Right to Shelter’ ordinance that requires city government agencies to provide shelter and other protective spaces when homeless or refugees request it.
This ordinance, established in 1981, served as a driving force in attracting immigrants, including refugees, to New York City. However, as capacity exceeded the limit and the refugee crisis worsened, New York City began preparing a plan to exclude refugees currently flowing into New York City from the ‘right to refuge’.
New York City has begun changing its ‘right to shelter’ ordinance after the Trump administration’s ‘Title 42’, which enabled immediate deportation of refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic, expired in May.
Anne William Isom, New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, said, “We plan to submit a request to the court next week to exclude refugees currently flocking to New York City from the ‘right to refuge’,” adding, “With the current humanitarian crisis that has led to a refugee crisis, “The position is that the right to refuge should not be applied,” he argued.
In response to New York City’s statement of position, New York Governor Cathy Hokull also expressed support for the push to change New York City’s ‘right to shelter’ ordinance.
Governor Hokul stated, “The purpose of the ‘Right to Shelter’ ordinance is to provide humane support to homeless people on the streets and their families, not to support refugees who are flocking from all over the world like now,” and added, “This right is not unlimited.” “We agree with New York City that it is necessary to change its application to the current refugee crisis because it is not a right that is applied as a right,” she emphasized.