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Statewide, shelters in counties such as Albany, Dutchess, Erie, Orange, and Westchester will be shut down by December 31, according to Fox News. These shelters were initially opened to manage a surge of migrants arriving from southern states like Texas and Florida, where governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis sent border crossers to so-called “sanctuary” states.
The cost of housing migrants has placed a massive burden on taxpayers. Reports indicate that New York City spends approximately $352 per night per migrant, with around half of that amount allocated to housing. The rest covers food, cleaning services, and social programs. A New York Post investigation revealed there are currently about 210 city-run shelters across the city’s five boroughs, with the migrant crisis projected to cost the state an astronomical $12 billion.
As of now, about 58,000 illegal migrants are residing in taxpayer-funded shelters across New York City, a significant drop from earlier peaks. City officials attribute the decision to close shelters to declining border encounters, following the Biden Administration’s late but notable crackdown on illegal immigration ahead of the 2024 election.
The closure of migrant shelters coincides with a dramatic political shift in New York and neighboring states. In the 2024 elections, traditionally Democratic counties in New York moved significantly to the right. For instance, New Jersey’s Democratic margin of victory narrowed from 16 points in 2020 to just five in 2024, leading some analysts to classify the state as a future battleground.
New York itself saw its Democratic margin nearly halved, dropping from D+24 in 2020 to D+12 in the latest election. Similar trends were observed across the Northeast and New England. Maryland swung nine points toward Trump, while Massachusetts shifted by the same margin. Meanwhile, Connecticut and Rhode Island each moved seven points to the right.
Some experts attribute these shifts to voter frustration over rising costs, surging crime rates, and the overwhelming strain placed on public resources by the migrant influx. Others believe Trump’s clear stance on border security resonates with an increasingly disillusioned electorate.
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While Mayor Adams and state officials publicly cite lower border encounter numbers as the reason for the closures, critics suggest the timing aligns too conveniently with the political fallout of the 2024 election.
Whatever the motives, the decision marks a pivotal moment for New York. With the Republican Party gaining ground in areas long considered Democratic strongholds, the fallout of these policy shifts will likely echo well beyond the Empire State.
The “Trump Effect” is undeniably reshaping the political landscape in deep blue states like New York. As the city and state grapple with the financial and logistical strain of the migrant crisis, their policy reversals hint at broader changes on the horizon. Whether these shifts are temporary or signal a long-term trend, one thing is certain: the days of unchecked sanctuary policies may be numbered.
