Hotel In Orangeburg May Reopen For Guests, Not NYC Migrant Program

ORANGETOWN, NY — The Armoni Inn and Suites may operate as a hotel for the time being, Rockland state Supreme Court Judge Thomas Zugibe ruled Thursday; however, it may not accept any of the migrants it had agreed with New York City to house temporarily, The Journal News reported.

Still, Judge Zugibe extended and reaffirmed the temporary restraining order against the City of New York’s program, Rockland County Executive Ed Day pointed out in a statement.

"This extension continues to prohibit the City from transforming hotels and motels in the County of Rockland into shelters," Day said. "Violation of that order could subject Armoni Inn & Suites and the City of New York to contempt of court."

Rockland was the first to declare a State of Emergency and issue executive orders barring hotels from making rooms available to New York City's program for temporarily housing some of the more than 60,000 asylum seekers who have arrived in recent months.

• NY County Declares 'State Of Emergency' Over 300 NYC Migrants

Since NYC’s plan to transport asylum seekers to the suburbs was discovered, many counties outside the city, and several towns, have declared states of emergency against a potential organized influx of migrants.

There are several lawsuits pending about the city's plan and the response of counties and municipalities, including many who were not slated for participation.

Rockland's State of Emergency proclamation says, in part, "This State of Emergency prohibits other municipalities from bringing and housing people in the County and prohibits hotels and motels from housing immigrants without a license."

After the city's plan became public, county officials checking the Armoni Inn's health department permit saw it had expired before a renewal application was made. Day said May 10 it was on hold due to the pending litigation and that the process would be very different under the Emergency Order.

The ruling in the lawsuit brought by the hotel against the county is temporary; they are expected back in court June 14.

SEE ALSO

• Rockland, Orange Face Off With NYCLU In Federal Court Over Migrants
• NY AG, Orange County DA Probe Inflammatory Lie About Migrants In HV
• As Rockland Delays Hotel Re-Certification, Guests Forced Out: Report
• Seeking Asylum And work, Migrants Bused Out Of NYC Find Hostility
• Judge Orders NYC To Stop Bringing Migrants To Dutchess Temporarily
• NYC Plan For Migrants Like 'Human Trafficking' - Rockland County Exec
• Orange County Extends Emergency Order Over NYC Migrants
• 'They Are Now Our Guests': More Asylum Seekers Arrive In Westchester
• End Of Title 42 Hasn't Stopped Migrant Surge To U.S.