NYC imposes curfew on migrants after residents complain about ‘invasion,’ door-to-door begging

New York City Democratic Mayor Eric Adams recently moved forward with a plan to impose a curfew on several migrant centers after local residents complained about door-to-door begging at all hours of the day and night, the New York Post reported.

Community members have referred to the increase in migrants as an “invasion,” pleading with city officials to do something about the rampant panhandling occurring in neighborhoods around the shelters. Migrants have been knocking on doors day and night asking for food, money, and clothing, according to residents.

New Yorkers living near larger tent cities, such as the Floyd Bennett Field shelter located in a remote area on the outskirts of Brooklyn, have especially reported a rise in panhandling. Residents called the migrant takeover “alarming” and stated many locals are “on edge,” the Post reported. Randall’s Island, another large tent city, was the scene of a fatal stabbing earlier this month.

Beginning on Tuesday, migrants sheltering at four respite centers — two in Queens, one in Brooklyn, and another in Manhattan — must check in each night by 11 p.m. The curfew lifts at 6 a.m. each morning. The restrictions are similar to those imposed on other homeless shelters in the city.

Migrants residing in the shelters who need to leave during curfew hours to go to work, school, and legal and medical appointments may do so by applying for a permit ahead of time, City Hall officials explained. Those who violate the restrictions three times within 30 days may be forced to leave the shelters.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola stated that the city’s decision to implement a curfew is “only the first step,” calling for an end to the city’s “right-to-shelter” status.

“I’m certainly glad to see these curfews finally being put into place, but they should have been mandated from the beginning,” Ariola stated. “While I applaud the city for coming to its senses on the curfew issue, I believe this is only the first step. We still need to end our status as a right-to-shelter city, stop the flow of asylum-seekers into the five boroughs, and finally get rid of the tent cities and [Humanitarian Emergency Response Relief Centers] that are draining our city’s coffers and gobbling up billions of taxpayer dollars.”

Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday the state’s 2025 fiscal year budget plan, totaling $233 billion, the Post reported. The plan adds $500 million to New York City’s migrant crisis funding. The new budget also allocates $40 million to address retail theft, $3.8 million for flood resiliency, $10 million to combat hate crimes, and $100 million to cover campaign financing.

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