Hello everyone! There’s been a pretty concerning situation unfolding in New York City, especially around Randall’s Island, where migrants have been setting up encampments outside of shelters. Recently, Fox News journalist Morgan McKay found herself in a tense situation while reporting from the scene. Let’s break down what happened and what it all means.
So, McKay was on Randall’s Island covering the growing encampments that have popped up near a large shelter that houses around 3,000 migrants. These encampments are a direct result of the city’s “Right to Shelter” rules, which allow migrants to stay in shelters for up to 30 days. After that, they have to leave, and many find themselves with nowhere to go. Some of them have taken the drastic step of setting up camp right outside the shelters they were forced to leave.
A few migrants illegally camping on Randall’s Island next to the shelter immediately became hostile as we approached – they say they are frustrated w/ all the cameras/press
However when I did try to film – one tried repeatedly to grab my phone and even my arm pic.twitter.com/ZmgMkt7AXL
— Morgan McKay (@morganfmckay) August 13, 2024
While reporting, McKay shared a video that shows her being harassed by a couple of men from the encampment. The video, which she posted on X (formerly Twitter), shows one man flipping off the camera and another waving his hand in her face. They also tried to grab her phone and even her arm, making the situation pretty tense. McKay mentioned that the hostility from these few individuals forced her and her crew to leave the area.
McKay also pointed out that not all the migrants she encountered were hostile. Some were willing to speak with her and shared their struggles with finding work and securing a place to stay. This highlights the desperation many of these migrants are facing as they try to navigate life in a new country without the resources they need.
Now, these encampments have become a significant issue for New York City. Since the spring of 2022, over 212,000 migrants have been processed through the city’s intake system. Currently, the city is caring for close to 64,000 migrants, and just last week, over 700 new arrivals landed in the city. With such overwhelming numbers, it’s no wonder that the shelter system is bursting at the seams.
I will emphasize that this hostility came from only a few of the migrants we encountered on Randall’s Island
Some of the migrants I did get a chance to speak with expressed how hard it has been to find work and a place to sleep
Full story to be posted soon
— Morgan McKay (@morganfmckay) August 13, 2024
Mayor Eric Adams has made it clear that these encampments are illegal, but the city is still grappling with how to handle them. Interestingly, despite the city’s stance against these makeshift camps, portable bathrooms have been set up near some of them. This has led to some confusion and criticism, with the mayor insisting that the presence of porta-potties doesn’t mean the city is accepting these encampments. Adams was pretty clear, saying, “A porta potty should never be an indicator that we accepted any form of encampments. I don’t want people using our streets as toilet facilities.”
