Exclusive: Just 20 percent of migrants return to city care

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Oct 25, 2023 View in browser   By Emily Ngo, Nick Reisman and Jeff Coltin With help from Jason Beeferman Since the city's policy to institute 30-and-60-day notices to vacate migrant shelters took effect last month, only 980 people have reapplied to live in the shelters. | David Dee Delgado/Getty Images FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Less than 20 percent of migrants who received 30-and-60-day notices to vacate New York City shelters have returned to the city’s care, according to numbers shared exclusively with Playbook. About 13,500 migrants had received 60-day notices; 6,572 had received 30-day notices and 4,893 had their notices expire as of Sunday, according to City Hall data. That left approximately 980 people reapplying to live in shelters since the cutoff dates began last month. City Hall officials touted the lower rate of return as evidence that limiting the stays — combined with “enhanced casework services” — is working. The migrants are securing alternative housing and accepting the city’s help to reach their final, desired destinations, officials said, including plane tickets to wherever they want. Legal, housing and immigrant advocates have condemned the limiting of shelter stays as inhumane and short-sighted, but Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom said the policies are necessary as a record 4,000 migrants arrive in the city each week. “This is why the 60-day and 30-day notices are so important,” she said at a news conference Tuesday. “Because that’s the only way I’m going to be able to make space in the system for people who come through the front door.” One week earlier, she had estimated the rate of migrants returning to the city’s care was less than 50 percent, though she acknowledged the numbers were still being crunched. Critics from advocacy groups to City Council members and other elected officials have slammed Mayor Eric Adams for an approach that could mean people being turned out onto the streets. They’ve pushed back especially hard on his new policy imposing a 60-day limit for families with children. City Hall officials cautioned that the 20 percent return rate should be considered a snapshot as the shelter population fluctuates. And the apparent progress on that front contrasted with Adams warning anew Tuesday that migrants sleeping outdoors as room runs out indoors is a matter of “when,” not “if.” He appeared to envision what that would entail. “We have to make sure that people have some type of restroom facilities, some type of shower network,” Adams added, saying he’s in touch with other countries that have managed the same. It’s a daunting prospect as winter approaches. “We need to manage it [so] that’s not a citywide visual state of chaos,” Adams said of his plans to “localize” outdoor living. Josh Goldfein, a Legal Aid Society staff attorney, told Playbook of migrants being forced to sleep on the streets: “Per multiple court orders and laws, the city still has a legal obligation to ensure that anyone in need of shelter has access to exactly that.” — Emily Ngo IT’S WEDNESDAY, and in this newsletter, we root for the World Series-bound Arizona Diamondbacks. (This is Jeff.) Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE’S KATHY? Speaking at the groundbreaking for the People’s Theatre Project. WHERE’S ERIC? Appearing live on Radio Vision Cristiana 1330 AM, attending a flag-raising ceremony for Kazakhstan and speaking at the grand opening of the Empire Steak House. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Prospect Heights is now a hot place to own property. … Many folks did not want to come in. I made it safe, and now everyone is enjoying the great work that I’ve done.” — Mayor Eric Adams, explaining why he decided to maintain partial ownership in a Brooklyn co-op, even after making a number of claims about divesting from the property over the years: that he had given it away, that he didn’t realize he still owned it and that the transfer to a friend was in the works but was delayed by tax issues.   GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.     ABOVE THE FOLD Mayoral aide Timothy Pearson, third from left, was involved in an altercation with security guards at a Midtown migrant shelter last week. | Arturo Holmes/Getty Images YOU SHALL NOT PASS: Adams defended one of his closest, most mysterious and highest-paid aides Tuesday, a week after senior adviser Timothy Pearson tussled with security staff at a city-run migrant shelter. “I've never witnessed him displaying a violent action,” the mayor said during an unrelated press briefing, while noting the incident is under review. “He is a professional.” That depends on who you ask. According to an NYPD complaint, Pearson showed up to a Manhattan migrant respite center for an unannounced inspection and was accosted by security despite displaying a badge on his belt. But numerous eyewitness accounts from site staffers, which were provided to the administration as part of an investigation, describe Pearson barging into the facility, refusing to identify himself and threatening the job of a security worker before throwing her to the floor and shoving several of her colleagues. The melee occurred the same day Pearson is alleged by witnesses of threatening the livelihood of someone who challenged his authority at a separate facility. The statements, reviewed by POLITICO, were first reported by THE CITY, which broke the news of the altercations. On Tuesday, Adams said he personally tasked Pearson with performing unannounced inspections as a quality-assurance measure. “I'm responsible for these sites,” Adams said. “It falls on me. And I need someone to go in and do these visuals and come back to report to me.” Two guards were charged in the incident. There were no criminal charges issued against Pearson — something that the Legal Aid Society took issue with. One of the guards arrested had “no prior contact with the criminal legal system, was merely doing his job as a security officer and following protocol when Tim Pearson attempted to forcefully enter,” Legal Aid spokesperson Redmond Haskins said in a statement. — Jason Beeferman and Joe Anuta WHAT CITY HALL IS READING Faith leaders plan to hold a demonstration this morning in front of the Roosevelt Hotel, a Midtown migrant processing center. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images CLERGY LEADERS UNITE: About 30 faith leaders plan to rally this morning outside the Roosevelt Hotel migrant intake center in Manhattan, marching around the block and offering prayers in an appeal for more state and federal aid. “We’re also uniting our voices in a call for comprehensive immigration reform,” the Rev. Edward-Richard Hinds told Playbook. “We’re also uniting our voices in call for work authorization for West Africans and Haitians. And finally, we are uniting our voices in a call for access to resources by the faith-based community.” Faith leaders of various religions from across the city will be represented. Many houses of worship have opened their doors to migrants during the crisis, with clergy leaders and congregants giving to newcomers, often out of their own pockets. — Emily Ngo More from the city: — Can Adams’ retail politics be enough in 2025? (Village Voice) — Two of the six defendants accused of running a straw donor scheme to help Adams’ mayoral campaign pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor conspiracy charge. (THE CITY) — Justin Brannan and Ari Kagan went head-to-head in a lively debate on “Inside City Hall.” (NY1) — The city is without a lead czar after the staffer assigned to rid residential buildings of the toxic metal was reassigned to work on the migrant response. (Daily News) WHAT ALBANY'S READING Gov. Kathy Hochul allocated $1 million in additional funding to support the state's red flag gun law on Tuesday. | Darren McGee/Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul RED FLAG FUNDING: Police agencies and sheriffs’ offices will have new guidance to address domestic incidents under a plan unveiled by Gov. Kathy Hochul that also seeks to expand the use of the state’s red flag law. The governor announced on Tuesday the changes would be “trauma-informed and survivor-centered.” At the same time, New York is adding $1 million to expand the state’s red flag law, which is meant to keep guns away from those deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. The money will go toward training and technical aid for community groups to help with the filing of red flag orders. "I'm committed to leading an administration that treats survivors with dignity and respect," Hochul said. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — The New York Times is turning to outside counsel to review an allegation former Albany Bureau Chief Jesse McKinley sexually harassed former top Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa. (The Daily Beast) — A debate over expanding New York’s bottle deposit law is back. (Newsday)  — Controversies are dogging Democratic Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz’s re-election bid. (City & State) FROM THE DELEGATION The Federal Transit Administration is allocating $3.4 billion toward the completion of the Second Avenue Subway expansion project. | Kevin Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo SECOND AVENUE SUBWAY ON THE MOVE: An expansion of the Second Avenue Subway secured about half of the $6.6 billion needed to extend the Q train from 96th St. to 125th St. in East Harlem. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Adriano Espaillat announced Tuesday the money has been designated through the Federal Transit Administration. “Congressman Espaillat and I are proud to announce that the Second Avenue Subway is going to receive $3.4 BILLION in federal funding to advance phase two of its construction. This is the largest Capital Investment Grant in the history of the program,” Schumer said in a statement. — Joseph Spector More from the delegation: — Rep. Elise Stefanik is working to find a House GOP speaker rather than trying to run herself. (POLITICO)   PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW.     AROUND NEW YORK AROUND NEW YORK — A 1,320-pound sculpture of New York’s mythological sewer alligator was installed in Union Square. (The Washington Post) — Even after legalization, the illicit marijuana trade in Rochester brings its dealers hundreds of thousands of dollars and gruesome violence. (Democrat & Chronicle) — This former upstate asylum was rated New York’s creepiest place. (Syracuse.com) SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN OUT & ABOUT: Cuomo World and celebrities came together Monday night at the Hotel Chelsea for a party toasting the release of former secretary to the governor Melissa DeRosa’s memoir, "What's Left Unsaid." SPOTTED THERE: DeRosa mingling with Katie Holmes, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, Andrew Cuomo, Bill Mulrow, publicists Ken Sunshine, Steven Rubenstein and Claire Mercuri, Directors Guild President Lesli Linka Glatter, Jane Rosenthal, playwright David Bar Katz, MSNBC commentator Susan Del Percio, former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, New York mag’s Shawn McCreesh, The New Yorker’s Clare Malone, the Daily Beast’s Lachlan Cartwright, strategist Neal Kwatra, consultant Charlie King and City Hall’s Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Zach Iscol and Menashe Shapiro. MEDIAWATCH: Vaughn Golden is the new Albany reporter for the New York Post. He was a reporter at WSKG public radio. COMING ATTRACTIONS: The Biden Victory Fund and the Women’s Leadership Forum are hosting a fundraiser for the Biden reelect at Hillary Clinton’s D.C. home Nov. 27. The event, billed as dinner and a conversation, costs $50,000 to be named a host and $25,000 for co-host. (h/t Playbook PM) HAPPY BIRTHDAY: CBS’ Jan Crawford … Activision’s Joe Christinat ... Hamilton Campaign Network’s Scott Berlin … Louis Burgdorf … Gary Regenstreif … Jason Hidalgo WAS TUESDAY: Charles Biderman ... Joseph Rothstein  Real Estate — David Rockefeller’s former Manhattan townhouse was sold to a tech entrepreneur for $47 million. (The Wall Street Journal) — A $44 million loan on a former East Village elementary school property was recently sold to a “mysterious” LLC. (The Real Deal)   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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