Staten Island has currently absorbed only 4% of the total number of migrants and asylum seekers who've been bussed to New York City from southern states, but it has quickly emerged as the central issue in the race for NY's 11th Congressional District.
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022.The influx of asylum seekers to New York City has quickly become the central issue in the race for Staten Island and Brooklyn’s 11th Congressional District — and could be a decisive factor in keeping the seat for Republicans.
“If somebody needed another reason to come out and vote this year, the migrant issue is definitely [it],” said Peter Giunta, president of the Staten Island Young Republicans “I'm anticipating that this is going to push people out in those election districts on Staten Island.” Rose provided a statement to Gothamist blaming both Democrats and Republicans for politicizing the issue.
“If you are going to have an immigration policy you need to have the resources backing it up for states and localities. And certainly that’s not what we’re seeing right now – New York City is certainly not getting its fair share from the federal government as it pertains to asylum seekers,” Rose said, adding that technology and personnel are needed to further secure the border.
In a recent Facebook exchange between neighbors over attempts to organize a protest, local resident Veronica Gil Mannarino objected to protesting in front of the migrant shelter. “[W]e don’t know if it is safe to open our doors, they are sending the children to the door hoping people will be empathetic, but how do we know?” Walsh said. “We have no grocery, no medical, the school is already at capacity, and let’s be real, Travis is a transit desert.”