Number of migrant families in NYC care falls — officials say nearly half who got 60-day warnings moved on

Craig McCarthy, Steve Janoski
·3 min read
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About half of the migrant families who received a 60-day notice to leave the city's shelters moved on, according to city officials.
About half of the migrant families who received a 60-day notice to leave the city's shelters moved on, according to city officials.
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Nearly half of the migrant families who received notices to move on from the Big Apple’s makeshift shelters after their 60-day stays actually left the facilities when they were supposed to, according to new numbers released by city officials.

As of March 3, a total of about 8,233 families with children had been given the notices, which alert migrants that the 60-day limit is approaching.

Those families include 31,344 people — and are made up of 16,140 adults and 15,204 children, according to numbers the Adams administration provided to City Councilwoman Gale Brewer, head of the oversight committee.

Nearly half the migrant families who got 60-day warnings to leave the city shelters actually moved on, according to the city. Paul Martinka
Nearly half the migrant families who got 60-day warnings to leave the city shelters actually moved on, according to the city. Paul Martinka
The families include a total of 31,344 people, including more than 16,000 adults and 15,000 children. James Keivom
The families include a total of 31,344 people, including more than 16,000 adults and 15,000 children. James Keivom

About 51% of the adults from family households with expired 60-day notices were still in city care, but 49% have already moved on, Brewer’s office said.

“A reason people leave is they get nervous about that in another 60 days are they going to have to move again so they go to Newark or Yonkers and that’s not in the numbers there,” Brewer (D-Manhattan) said.

Of those who stayed, just 14% remained at the same shelter where they were given their notice — but 81% are in the same borough as their original shelter.

Brewer’s office also said that more than 80% of the 5,700 students in grades K-12 who are staying in shelters are still enrolled in the same school — which eases a persistent worry for city lawmakers that kids would be forced to change schools and get lost in the shuffle.

Only about 5% of students shifted their shelter location and had to transfer schools, according to the numbers.

And about 12% of the students were no longer enrolled in the city’s public schools.

Mayor Adams imposed the 60-day cap back in July, when the immigrant surge was peaking. Paul Martinka
Mayor Adams imposed the 60-day cap back in July, when the immigrant surge was peaking. Paul Martinka
More than 190,000 migrants have arrived in the Big Apple since the influx started in the spring of 2022. Kevin C. Downs for NY Post
More than 190,000 migrants have arrived in the Big Apple since the influx started in the spring of 2022. Kevin C. Downs for NY Post
Migrants cross back into Mexico after being stymied by barbed wire. James Breeden for NY Post
Migrants cross back into Mexico after being stymied by barbed wire. James Breeden for NY Post

“There is no question that that 80% because we fight like the dickens to keep kids in the hotel vicinity near their schools,” Brewer said, referring to Manhattan officials.

Mayor Eric Adams imposed the 60-day limit on stays at the city-run shelters back in July, claiming it was a necessity given the surge of migrants crossing the southern border and coming to New York.

But it’s not a hard cap — families can reapply once their 60 days is up so they don’t get cast out.

In September, Adams lowered the stays for single adults to 30 days before they could reapply.

More than 190,000 migrants have arrived in the Big Apple since the influx started in the spring of 2022. At total 64,400 were in city shelters as of last week.