Dutchess Declares Emergency Over Possible Arrival Of Asylum Seekers

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — With the imminent possibility of migrants or asylum seekers being bused from New York City to Poughkeepsie this weekend, the Dutchess county executive has declared a state of emergency.

County Executive William F.X. O’Neill said in a statement Friday that he executed the state of emergency to “preserve our rights and safeguard the well-being of our residents and our community by enforcing various established codes and regulations.”

He called it a pre-emptive step that was necessary because New York City has been haphazardly relocating individuals who were sent to NYC from the border.

O’Neill said the county was also exploring beginning civil action against New York City and any property owner of hotel, motel or short-term occupancy rental property who turns their property into an emergency or homeless shelter.

He said the options include but are not limited to seeking injunctive relief and a temporary restraining order, as Rockland and Orange counties have done.

O’Neill said that, while the county’s residents empathize with the plight of people being shuttled out of New York City by Mayor Eric Adams, Dutchess County doesn’t have the resources to adequately address the needs of those people.

He blamed the crisis on the Biden administration’s “inability or unwillingness to conceive and adopt an immigration policy that protects both this country’s citizens and those looking to engage in a legal process to make a life here.”

O’Neill said New York City is in negotiation with the Red Roof Plus+ on Route 9 in the town of Poughkeepsie to house migrants bused up from the city as soon as Sunday.