The shelter, located on federal land, has been under scrutiny as advocates warned it could become a target for immigration raids or lease revocation under the new administration. City officials confirmed that families would be relocated by January 15, just days before President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration, with the shelter’s lease set to end by March.
A Highly Vulnerable Shelter
Established in late 2023 in response to an overwhelming influx of migrants arriving at the southern border, Floyd Bennett Field (FBF)was meant to be a temporary solution. Located within the Gateway National Recreation Area, it’s unique among other New York City emergency shelters for its location on a former naval air station on federal property, managed by the National Park Service.
The site currently houses families in large tents. Residents come from a variety of backgrounds, including Venezuela, Ecuador, Haiti, Guinea, and China, most of them fleeing economic and political turmoil. The conditions, however, have been widely criticized. Families share communal bathrooms and showers, while the tents, subdivided into individual spaces, offer limited protection against the elements. Additionally, the area is secluded, miles away from services like schools, and it’s prone to flooding, storms, and winds.
New Developments: Timeline for Closure and Relocation
City officials have laid out a timeline for the shelter’s closure. Families will be moved out by January 15, just before the new administration takes office. The broader plan includes shutting down 25 shelters across the city by March, including hotels and other temporary facilities, as the number of new migrant arrivals has steadily declined over the past five months.
Mayor Eric Adams stated, “We’re going to continue looking for more sites to consolidate and close, and more opportunities to save taxpayer money, as we continue to successfully manage this response,” as reported by The New York Times. The closure of the shelter marks a turning point in New York City’s handling of the migrant crisis. For the asylum-seeking families that have been living there, this decision offers both relief and uncertainty. While relocation promises improved conditions, the lack of affordable housing and comprehensive support remains a hurdle.
Advocacy Efforts Leading Up to Positive Change
Concerns about the fate of the Floyd Bennett Field shelter reached a tipping point as advocacy groups warned of the risks associated with its location on federal land. Advocates, including Venezuelan-American Susie Jaramillo, a Brooklyn resident and a founding member of Floyd Bennett Field Neighbors (FBFN), played a pivotal role in pressuring city officials to act. FBFN has been at the forefront of efforts to protect the nearly 2,000 asylum-seeking families housed at the shelter, highlighting the urgent need for relocation to safer accommodations.
Luz Media reached out to FBFN via email and connected with Jaramillo to discuss the efforts they make for these asylum-seeking families. “Mayor Adams must urgently close Floyd Bennett Field, a federal land shelter housing 2,000 asylum-seeking families in NYC, before January 20 to protect vulnerable residents from potential federal raids and relocate them to safer accommodations, upholding the city's legacy as a refuge or risk devastating trauma on hundreds of families, betraying our roots as a sanctuary city and detonating a powder keg of conflicts in NYC,” she stated.
This call to action from FBFN and other advocacy groups resonated with community leaders and city officials, contributing to the decision to close the shelter.
How the Community Took Action
Leading up to the decision to close the FBF shelter, community organizations stepped up to address the critical needs of families living there, effectively creating a lifeline for residents in a precarious situation. FBFN is one such group providing on-the-ground support. This mutual aid group mobilizes an extensive network of volunteers and resources to address immediate needs and improve living conditions for the nearly 2,000 residents at the shelter.
Since November 2023, FBFN has provided essential supplies to over 700 families. These include warm winter clothing, shoes, strollers, backpacks, toys, and other necessities through donations and their continually updated Target and Amazon wish lists. FBFN has also played a pivotal role in fostering communication within the shelter. The group has established the largest internal communication network at the facility, enabling residents to share vital information and connect with one another.
FBFN's efforts are not limited to direct aid. They also collaborate with the Mayor's Office, NYC Health & Hospitals—the agency overseeing the shelter—and other local NGOs and mutual aid groups as well to help families access essential services and support. Equally as important, they’re pushing for systemic change along with other groups by urging Mayor Eric Adams to relocate families to safer, more permanent shelters across the city.
“The number of arriving asylum seekers has also been dropping for months, and there is more capacity to move Floyd Bennett families into other shelters and hotels. Most of the families at FBF have applied for asylum, and many parents have received their work permits. They are eager to find apartments or rooms to rent and to leave the shelter system,” Jaramillo shared with Luz Media. By facilitating their relocation, the city can not only provide immediate relief but also support families in achieving long-term stability.What Lies Ahead
As the city winds down its emergency shelter operations, advocates and policymakers are calling for sustained efforts to support migrant families. From improving asylum processes to expanding employment opportunities, the next steps will be critical in ensuring New York maintains its legacy as a sanctuary city.
“Beyond relocation, the City and State can pass a number of policies to make sure Floyd Bennett families and all immigrants in New York feel welcome and have the support they need to thrive in their new home. These could include expanding English classes and legal services to help new immigrants quickly gain the freedom to work, allowing more asylum seekers to fill unfilled positions in City and State government, and making health insurance accessible to undocumented New Yorkers,” Jaramillo added.
With just over a month until the transition of federal power, the spotlight remains on Mayor Adams and his administration to execute the relocation plan efficiently while preparing for the challenges ahead. For the families at Floyd Bennett Field, the move marks a new chapter in their journey toward stability and hope.
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