LI Supes' To Feds On Migrants And Asylum Seekers: 'Step Up And Stop Finger-Pointing'

BABYLON, NY — The Suffolk County Supervisors' Association called out the federal government on Wednesday in a statement responding to the possibility that migrants and asylum seekers from the southern border could be placed in New York State.

Chaired by Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer, the association contains all the heads of government for the county's 10 towns, including Brookhaven, Islip, Huntington, Smithtown, Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island, Riverhead, and Southold.

The statement, released by Schaffer and vice chair, Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter, says the association "wants it understood that the issue regarding migrants and their placement in New York State is the sole responsibility of our federal government officials…the President, and both houses of Congress."

"They all need to step up, stop finger-pointing, and finally, figure out how to handle this issue," the statement continues. "Fix the system like we have been asking them to do for years. It should not, and cannot be left to local governments to shoulder this burden, or take on the responsibility for this issue.”

A State of Emergency was declared by Riverhead Supervisor Yvette Aguilar on Tuesday in response to plans for several venues to accept migrants.

Aguiar declared the state of emergency based on information received and in response to reports that the New York City Department of Homeless Services has, or will arrange for, the transportation and relocation of undocumented migrants and/or asylum seekers to hotels or motels within Riverhead, the town said.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams or a representative of his reached out to Riverhead motels and hotels to assess their availability for delivering migrants, according to Aguiar.

Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine was not available for comment.

A spokesperson for his office said he stands by the statement released by the association.

Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said "the gist" of the statement is that it says "to the federal government, 'This is your job, not our job.'"

Schneiderman wondered if the association was not getting ahead of themselves though.

In a conversation with Governor Kathy Hochul Wednesday morning, Schneiderman said he was told that there were no plans to ship migrants to the East End.

For him, the other issue is, "Are we chasing something that doesn't exist," he wondered.

Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth said he has heard there has been outreach to hotels across the state, but there are no plans to move asylum seekers to Long Island at this time

Smyth supports people looking to enter the U.S. in search of a better life.

"We need more legal immigration," he said. "It is the illegal immigration process into this country that is a problem. The deliberate chaos at our southern border is not only a humanitarian crisis but a national embarrassment."

County executives Steve Bellone and Bruce Blakeman told Newsday that New York City hasn't asked to house migrants in Suffolk or Nassau.

Lisa Finn and Michael DeSantis contributed additional reporting to this story.