New York City relocates relief center for asylum seekers amid criticism, protests

NEW YORK, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- New York City, the most populous city in the United States, will relocate a humanitarian emergency response and relief center for asylum seekers before it is open for operation due to criticism and protests from both sides of the political spectrum.

The relief center under construction at Orchard Beach parking lot in Bronx will be relocated to Randall's Island in Manhattan, according to a statement by New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday night.

The relief center at Orchard Beach parking lot is the first of multiple centers planned in response to the influx of migrants transported from Texas and other border states.

"This new location is less prone to flooding, is closer to public transportation, and will provide temporary respite to 500 asylum seekers," said Adams.

Adams announced the building of the transitory relief center at Orchard Beach parking lot on Sept. 22, which was designed to handle 1,000 people at maximum providing shelter, food, medical care and case work services.

However, the building of the relief center at Orchard Beach parking lot was criticized for lack of consultancy with the local community, being prone to flooding risk and lack of support for migrants.

Protests were staged outside of the city hall and on the site of the relief center in recent days, and the New York City Council also held an oversight hearing on Sept. 30 on the status of resources and services for newly arrived people seeking asylum.

Despite additional information since the announcement on Sept. 22, there remain many outstanding concerns and questions, including about the role, location, and suitability of the relief centers, according to Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.

"The Orchard Beach location is in a flood zone in the middle of hurricane season, it is outside as cold weather approaches, it is in a transit dessert, it is being constructed by a contractor that built Trump's xenophobic border wall," said Shahana Hanif, a council member and chairwoman of the council's Immigration Committee.

New York City has received more than 16,000 asylum seekers over the last few months, including over 2,700 bused from Texas.