Standoff between city, migrants heads in 3rd day as asylum seekers sleep in snow, cold

The standoff between migrants and the city heads was in its third day Wednesday as asylum seekers brace the cold outside the Watson Hotel in Hells Kitchen.

News 12 Staff

Feb 1, 2023, 11:51 AM

Updated 485 days ago

Share:

UPDATE: As the third day concludes for those camping outside of the Watson Hotel, the mayor's office provided this statement:
“We are grateful that almost all single men who were staying at the Watson Hotel have chosen to heed our calls and come inside from the frigid temperatures tonight. The single men who were staying at the Watson have now all either chosen to transfer to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal — a humanitarian relief center that multiple elected officials today called a ‘warm’ location — or decided to leave our care by connecting with friends, family, or other networks. Tonight, a joint effort by multiple city agencies began to clean up the block and encourage the few dozen asylum seekers to come inside as temperatures continued to drop. Immediately, most of the asylum seekers decided to board our busses and go to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, while six asylum seekers chose to be reticketed to meet friends or family in other cities and the remaining asylum seekers chose to go their own ways as agitators outside the Watson continued to encourage them to endanger their lives in these freezing temperatures and not accept shelter. To be clear, no arrests were made tonight, and the only items discarded were those on the street. Any items asylum seekers had in their rooms are still in our care and will remain available for pick up. Additionally, those who chose to leave on their own tonight will still have the ability to enter the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal if they come to us tomorrow or in the future.”
ORIGINAL: The standoff between migrants and the city was in its third day Wednesday as asylum seekers brace the cold outside the Watson Hotel in Hells Kitchen.
The standoff started Sunday night when city officials conducted a sweep of the hotel asking migrants inside to leave.
While New York City Immigration Affairs showed videos of the asylum seekers settling down in the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, those outside the Watson Hotel refuse to leave saying the conditions in the terminal are less than favorable.
The mayor's office says the city surpassed its moral obligation to extend help to the migrants. The city believes sign of protest was created as a way to stop efforts to support asylum seekers.
While asylum seekers were given the option to tour the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal facility, the majority of those camped outside the hotel declined the offer.
However, not all migrants who visited the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal are unhappy saying food, showers and bathrooms were available. 
The city planned to use the hotel for migrant families while the terminal was supposed to house about 1,000 single adult males.


More from News 12
2:16
Nassau police commissioner warns Cricket World Cup attendees not to illegally park in nearby neighborhoods

Nassau police commissioner warns Cricket World Cup attendees not to illegally park in nearby neighborhoods

1:43
Sensational Saturday ahead, chance for showers Sunday evening

Sensational Saturday ahead, chance for showers Sunday evening

2024 Cricket World Cup on Long Island - Complete Coverage

2024 Cricket World Cup on Long Island - Complete Coverage

0:51
Patchogue woman pleads guilty to running over, killing Brentwood anti-gang activist in 2018

Patchogue woman pleads guilty to running over, killing Brentwood anti-gang activist in 2018

1:50
WWII, Korean War veteran laid to rest on LI nearly 60 years after his death

WWII, Korean War veteran laid to rest on LI nearly 60 years after his death

0:49
Town of Huntington renames street in honor of longtime East Northport resident

Town of Huntington renames street in honor of longtime East Northport resident

1:52
Police: 2 people arrested after weapons, cannabis found in Smithtown smoke shop

Police: 2 people arrested after weapons, cannabis found in Smithtown smoke shop

0:28
Police: Man wanted for questioning in connection to fatal Huntington Station hit-and-run

Police: Man wanted for questioning in connection to fatal Huntington Station hit-and-run

0:30
Police: 2 Hempstead men arrested for robbery at Roosevelt Field Mall

Police: 2 Hempstead men arrested for robbery at Roosevelt Field Mall

2:22
Village of Northport kicks off Pride Month with flag raising

Village of Northport kicks off Pride Month with flag raising

2:08
East Meadow dance group brings Polynesian culture to Long Island

East Meadow dance group brings Polynesian culture to Long Island

0:26
Police: Farmingville man killed in motorcycle crash in Smithtown

Police: Farmingville man killed in motorcycle crash in Smithtown

0:45
Former President Donald Trump responds to his guilty verdict

Former President Donald Trump responds to his guilty verdict

2:40
Planting Fields Arboretum hosting Long Island Orchid Festival this weekend

Planting Fields Arboretum hosting Long Island Orchid Festival this weekend

1:56
Food Truck Friday: Nao Caribbean Flavors

Food Truck Friday: Nao Caribbean Flavors

1:48
The Real Deal: Summer travel trends and how to save money on your next vacation

The Real Deal: Summer travel trends and how to save money on your next vacation

2:07
Long Islanders, elected leaders react to former President Trump's guilty verdict in hush money trial

Long Islanders, elected leaders react to former President Trump's guilty verdict in hush money trial

1:59
Amityville school board formally eliminate approximately 13 positions

Amityville school board formally eliminate approximately 13 positions

Is your dad awesome? Long Island tell us why your dad rocks!

Is your dad awesome? Long Island tell us why your dad rocks!

1:32
Father’s Day Gift Ideas: Exclusive Deals – Up to 50% OFF!

Father’s Day Gift Ideas: Exclusive Deals – Up to 50% OFF!