Migrants Descend on New York City Hall: 'Uproot Anti-Blackness'

People gather in front of the New York city hall to protest against the plan to limit migrants’ shelter stays to 60 days on December 19, 2023. Over a thousand migrants gathered at New York City Hall on Tuesday during the city council’s oversight hearing, which was expected to discuss the experiences of Black migrants in NYC and “uproot anti-Blackness,” according to city council member Alexa Avilés.

More than 1,000 migrants gathered at New York City Hall on Tuesday during the City Council’s oversight hearing, which was slated to discuss the experiences of Black migrants in the city and “uproot anti-Blackness,” according to City Council member Alexa Avilés.

The gathering was part of a “rally to uplift the experience of Black migrants,” according to the New York City Police Department, which spoke to Newsweek via phone on Tuesday.

Since last spring, the city has taken in more than 175,000 migrants—currently accommodating about 67,500—who have been provided a 30-day limit to alleviate shelter overflows. This comes as immigration remains a major political issue ahead of the 2024 presidential election amid heightened levels of migrant border crossings.

Republican lawmakers say the uptick in migrants is a direct result of President Joe Biden’s border policies, which, they argue, incentivize illegal immigration. Other experts have said various factors, including political and financial instability in some Central American countries, drive migration to the U.S.

Tuesday’s gathering came as City Council members Avilés and Mercedes Narcisse led the hearing into discussing the experience of Black migrants.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Avilés pointed out how the hearing aimed to address the short-, mid- and long-term needs of Black immigrants, adding that it must also “uproot the anti-Blackness” within the legal care system.

“Today’s hearing centers [on] the experiences of Black immigrants in NYC and has turned out over 1000 people,” Avilés wrote on X. “We must uproot the anti-Blackness that plagues our systems of care – this work requires dedication, creativity, and a city willing to fund our short, mid, and long term needs.”

According to the City Council website, the hearing was also expected to introduce a bill that would require the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), in consultation with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), to develop a survey of newly arrived migrants and asylum seekers to elicit information related to skills, economic opportunities and workforce development obstacles.

“Black migrants, who are disproportionately harmed by every aspect of our immigration system, deserve language justice, dignity, and access to services,” Office of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander wrote on X. “Thanks @CMAlexaAviles and @CMMercedesCD46 for holding this critical hearing—we need equity and anti-racism in everything we do.”

Others took issue with the goal of the hearing, particularly aid and work permits.

“NYC City Hall calls this an ‘integrating newcomers’ event,” Senator Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, wrote on X. “Give me a break – this is an INVASION brought to you by Biden & Co. bought and paid for by the U.S. taxpayer.”

Charlie Kirk, founder and president of conservative organization Turning Point USA, wrote on X: “Illegal immigrants swarm NYC City Hall to demand more aid, work permits Democrats will probably give them whatever they want.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who been one of the most outspoken Democrats regarding the influx of millions of migrants, has been critical of the Biden administration’s handling of the surge. Adams called it “one of the largest humanitarian crises this city has ever experienced.”

Newsweek has reached out to Adams’ office via email for comment.

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