Staten Island GOP and Democrats join forces to oppose migrant camp at Fort Wadsworth
Staten Island’s elected officials presented a rare united front Wednesday — with Democrats and Republicans opposing the use of the former Fort Wadsworth military base as a migrant shelter.
The NYPD on the island and National Park Police that oversees the fort “are already stretched thin and understaffed,” said District Attorney Mike McMahon, the borough’s highest-ranking law enforcement official and top Democrat.
“The potential housing of an unknown number of migrants inside this Staten Island landmark … on the front lawn of those who bravely serve in our armed forces and alongside schoolchildren and families … must not come to pass,” he said.
Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who spearheaded a bipartisan revolt against using the borough’s space for migrants during a press conference Wednesday outside the former Wadsworth military base turned park, urged President Biden to do his job and control the border.
She called the migrant crisis “an absolute debacle.”
“We’re not a bunch of chumps,” Malliotakis said. “This has to stop today.”
“Stop taking away spaces from our schools, parks, and assisted living centers for senior citizens. It’s wrong.”
“The lack of consultation with the elected officials disregards the importance of community input and engagement here on Staten Island which is incredibly irresponsible,” Democratic state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton tweeted after attending the press conference.
Councilman David Carr, a Republican who represents communities near Fort Wadsworth, said that opening more shelters will incentivize other migrants.
“If you build it, they will come.”
Republican Borough President Vito Fossella, who grew up next to the former military site, said he was personally offended about the plan.
“Put them in Ellis Island,” he said.
Council Republican Minority Leader Joe Borelli said absent a real plan to stem the flow of migrants to the Big Apple, authorities should block migrants coming to the Port Authority bus terminal.
“Turn the bus around and go somewhere else. New Yorkers are sick and tired of being sick and tired,” Borelli said.
The city has provided care for more than 101,200 migrants at more than 200 emergency shelter sites since last year.
More than half of the 100,00-plus people currently in its homeless shelter system are asylum-seekers
The city has provided care for more than 101,200 migrants at more than 200 emergency shelter sites since last year.
More than half of the more than 100,000 people currently in the city’s homeless shelter system are asylum-seekers.
