Residents protested Wednesday against a new migrant relief center that is now open on the Nassau-Queens border.
The tent housing the migrants is located in the parking lot of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. It is part of New York City’s effort to house some of the over 100,000 asylum seekers who have come to the city since spring 2022.
A spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams tells News 12 nearly 100 people are already being housed at the location as of Tuesday.
As News 12 has reported, the center is expected to provide shelter for up to 1,000 adult men seeking asylum.
Hundreds of people from the Floral Park community previously protested ahead of the opening.
Many residents tell News 12 they do not want the relief center at the location because it is located too close to schools, parks and neighborhoods. Some neighbors also say they would have no problem if the camp was made up of families and not just single men.
“There’s a lot of fear,” says 40-year-old Joe Concannon, of Bellerose. “The fear, uncertainty and doubt because there’s a lot we don’t know.”
A migrant who moved into the Creedmoor tent city told News 12 he traveled from Nicaragua.
“I don’t want a specific type of lifestyle here – I just want to work and be able to support my family,” says Myke Hernandez. “That’s it.”
Hernandez says conditions at the Creedmoor facility are much better than being on the street. He says he doesn’t feel anything negative towards the protesters because it’s their expression.
Police arrested some of the protesters Wednesday, but it was not clear why.
The mayor’s office told News 12 that they understand the community concerns and are working to ensure disruptions are minimized. They also say they need more federal resources to do so.
