New York authorities relocate migrants to schools amid winter storm

New York state authorities on Tuesday announced relocating hundreds of asylum seekers from Floyd Bennett Field tent shelter to Brooklyn High School to protect them from strong winds and rainstorms, CBS reported.

This attracted a lot of criticism from parents and community leaders, as the state authorities announced to conduct lessons online so that the asylum seekers could be accommodated. Parents came out on the streets to protest.

The protesters said schools shouldn't be used as shelters.

"It's inexcusable to do this to the students of New York City high schools, especially after all they've been through with COVID," a parent said.

Parents and community leaders gathered outside James Madison High School, alleging that lessons should never have been moved online to accommodate the 1,900 migrants who needed temporary shelter in the school's gym and auditorium during Tuesday night's storm.

In a tweet on X regarding the issue Elon Musk wrote, "This is what happens when you run out of hotel rooms. Soon, cities will run out of schools to vacate. Then they will come for your homes".

Due to the strong criticism and threats, migrants were moved back to Floyd Bennett Field at 4:15 am on Wednesday. This move too raised a lot of questions because of the increased costs it incurred.