Dear New Yorkers, Title 42, the controversial doctrine used during the pandemic to turn asylum-seekers away at U.S. borders, expires today. And throughout the week, New York’s leaders have been bracing for new arrivals. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Tuesday to free up more resources for an anticipated “several thousand additional people seeking shelter each week.” In the city, Mayor Eric Adams’ administration is casting an increasingly wide net to prepare, including taking the controversial step of moving to suspend parts of the city’s right-to-shelter law. On Tuesday afternoon, an urgent email went out from the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services to vendors with which it regularly works. “We need your help!” the email read. “The City is also looking for emergency sites such as gyms or dorms that are available quickly and that could be used by the City temporarily to provide immediate relief to asylum seekers.” Even ahead of the doctrine’s expiration, the number of migrants arriving in New York City had already surged in recent days. In the last week, 1,578 new asylum-seekers have arrived in New York City, according to state officials. On the ground, advocates and grassroots groups are stepping up. Adama Bah, an advocate who’s welcomed arrivals alongside volunteers from groups including Artists Athletes Activists and Team TLC since last August, said they’re as prepared as they can be. ”I don’t want to anticipate anger, fear, or anything. Whatever happens, happens,” Bah said, speaking with THE CITY from a McDonalds near Port Authority on Tuesday afternoon as she ordered Uber rides for asylum seekers from area airports, juggling multiple phones. “This is people, this is their lives.” Read more here.
Some other items of note: Maybe you’ve heard — U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-Queens/L.I.) turned himself in to federal authorities yesterday, following an indictment on 13 charges that included allegations that he used campaign funds for personal shopping, fraudulently claimed unemployment benefits and lied to Congress about his income. But one key local supporter is still standing by his side: Tony Nunziato, chairman of the Queens County Republican Party. Here’s what he told THE CITY after the indictment. About 20% of all the office space in Manhattan is either vacant — or occupied by a company looking for someone to take it off their hands. That’s the highest-ever rate of vacancy since tracking began in the 1990s. The MTA is searching for a tech wiz with a product that can sniff out urine in subway elevators. New York City Transit President Richard Davey told the City Council in December that the MTA was looking into ways to employ urine sensors. Now, the agency put out a formal request seeking a system that’s “smart” enough to tell the difference between urine and other aromas, including perfumes, colognes, food, garbage and smoke. A city police oversight agency says it may be forced to abandon a new unit created last fall to investigate complaints of biased policing if the mayor’s proposed budget goes through. The Civilian Complaint Review Board’s interim chair Arva Rice said last night that, absent additional funds, the board would resume referring such cases for investigation by the NYPD — meaning, the department will be investigating itself. Thanks to everyone who RSVP’d to THE CITY’s Open Newsroom session happening tonight in partnership with Chalkbeat, ProPublica and the Brooklyn Public Library, which addresses mental health resources in New York City public schools, and how to get support. We are at capacity for the event. But don't worry if you didn't sign up in time — we'll share a video of the panel discussion with Scoop subscribers soon. For the latest local numbers on COVID-19 hospitalizations, positivity rates and more, check our coronavirus tracker. Remember, today marks the end of the pandemic’s emergency declarations — meaning big changes for tests, telehealth and data. Here’s what New Yorkers need to know.
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