31 Migrants Found Squeezed into Small New York Residence

Police lights during police investigation.
Police lights during police investigation.

ROCKLAND COUNTY , NY – Rockland County authorities have revealed a concerning situation where 31 migrants, who had arrived from Ecuador and Guatemala, were discovered residing in tightly packed and potentially hazardous conditions within a single-family house encompassing 1,500 square feet. The residence, situated in the Town of Clarkstown, raised substantial concerns regarding fire safety, particularly because children were found sleeping on mattresses in the garage.

Photographs taken at the scene portray mattresses occupying every available space within the house, including the attic and an unfinished basement. Consequently, officials have initiated an investigation to determine who sanctioned such living arrangements and whether the occupants had been pursuing asylum claims.

In response to law enforcement actions, numerous non-profit organizations are poised to offer aid to those displaced from the overcrowded house. The property’s owner, Shleima Koppel, had previously been cited for violations and had disregarded inquiries from the town.