New York City officials are weighing the closure of the migrant shelter at Floyd Bennett Field, a tent facility in Brooklyn that has become home to approximately 2,000 asylum seekers.
With President-elect Donald J. Trump preparing to assume office in January, the shelter’s position on federally leased land has raised concerns about its future under an administration known for its hardline immigration policies.
The Floyd Bennett Field shelter was established in late 2023 to provide emergency housing for asylum seekers arriving from the southern border. However, its federal land status has made it a potential target for intervention, with city officials fearing the new administration could either terminate the lease or use the facility to carry out immigration enforcement actions.
The shelter, built on a former airfield, was initially seen as a critical solution to the city’s migrant crisis, which had overwhelmed local resources. Now, it has become a liability. Advocates and legal experts warn that the shelter’s location could make it easier for federal agencies to detain migrants.
“Unlike city-owned properties, federal land doesn’t offer the same legal protections against enforcement actions,” said a representative from the Legal Aid Society to the NewYorkTimes. “This creates a precarious situation for those seeking refuge.”
While officials are exploring options to relocate the 500 families currently housed there, the process is fraught with logistical and financial challenges. Many of these families are in the midst of asylum proceedings or hold temporary legal status, complicating efforts to transition them to new accommodations.
The shelter’s operation costs—estimated at $250 million annually—are currently covered by the state. City leaders have expressed hesitation about making abrupt changes without guarantees of continued financial support for alternative housing.
Mayor Eric Adams has acknowledged the need to scale down the city’s shelter system as the influx of migrants decreases. However, he has remained noncommittal on the future of Floyd Bennett Field, emphasizing that any decision must prioritize the well-being of the families involved.
“We’re looking at all options,” the mayor said during a recent press briefing. “When we’re ready to make an announcement, we’ll do so with the community in mind.”
The shelter has faced criticism since its inception. Opponents argue that its location on a floodplain is unsuitable for long-term housing and have raised concerns about the concentration of noncitizens on federal land.
Representative Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican from Staten Island, has been a vocal critic of the facility, calling it an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. She has introduced legislation to prevent federal funds from being used for similar projects and expressed confidence that the incoming administration will terminate the lease.
“This shelter was a mistake from the beginning,” Malliotakis said in a statement. “It’s time for the city to take responsibility and stop relying on federal resources to manage its problems.”
Her stance reflects broader tensions between Democratic-led cities and the incoming Trump administration, which has promised stricter immigration enforcement.
For the families living at Floyd Bennett Field, the shelter is both a lifeline and a source of uncertainty. Many of the residents are recent arrivals who fled violence and instability in their home countries. The shelter provides essential services, including meals, medical care, and legal assistance, but its impermanence adds to the stress of an already arduous journey.
“People here have already endured so much,” said one advocate. “They need stability, not the constant threat of being uprooted again.”
As the January inauguration approaches, the Adams administration faces a critical decision: preemptively close the shelter or risk intervention by the Trump administration. Either choice carries significant political and humanitarian implications.
The migrant crisis has tested New York City’s ability to balance compassion with practicality, and the decisions made in the coming weeks will likely shape its approach to immigration challenges for years to come.
For now, the families at Floyd Bennett Field wait anxiously, caught between two administrations and uncertain of what the future holds.