Dutchess County has became the latest political battleground over New York City's busing of migrants to the Hudson Valley.
An estimated 60 to 80 individuals from New York City arrived at the Red Roof Inn in the town of Poughkeepsie on Sunday, according to Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’Neil, who said that he based the number on police and media reports because despite repeated requests, he had not received any information from neither New York City nor the hotel's owner.
"NYC Mayor Eric Adams assured counties that advance notice would be provided of any arrivals – that did not happen," O'Neill said in a statement. "This silence has forced Dutchess County to seek the required information through legal means."
The county is seeking a temporary restraining order to stop the city from transferring residents to Dutchess County in a case expected to be heard Tuesday morning. It's a legal strategy previously employed by Rockland and Orange counties.
O’Neil said he, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne and Town of Fishkill Supervisor Ozzy Albra will hold a news briefing about the impact of the relocation of asylum seekers at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Fishkill Town Hall.
Members of For the Many and others greeted the migrants who arrived Sunday at Poughkeepsie’s Red Roof Inn. The group has welcomed others to hotels in Newburgh.
“Yesterday, we stood with Mid-Hudson Valley DSA members and City of Poughkeepsie Councilmember Megan Deichler to welcome the first buses of asylum seekers to Dutchess County,” said For the Many political coordinator and Poughkeepsie resident Daniel Atonna. “Unfortunately, Dutchess County Executive William O’Neil decided that there was no more room in the inn, issuing an executive order similar to his counterparts in other counties. We are hopeful that his efforts to close Poughkeepsie’s borders to migrants will not be successful, and will continue to greet asylum seekers seeking to join our communities in the Hudson Valley.”