NEW YORK CITY, NY — James Madison High School in Brooklyn will transition to virtual learning to provide temporary shelter for approximately 2,000 migrants, the school announced on Tuesday. This decision comes as Mayor Eric Adams grapples with the influx of over 160,000 migrants to New York City in the past year.
The migrants, initially housed at Floyd Bennett Field, are being relocated to the high school due to concerns of potential high winds and flooding. Jodie Cohen, the principal of James Madison High School, emphasized the need for a smooth transition for families seeking temporary shelter, leading to the school’s closure on Wednesday, January 10.
Thomas P. Sullivan, a local assembly member, shared information on social media, highlighting the situation’s urgency and the unsustainability of the camp at Floyd Bennett Field.
Mayor Adams, along with mayors of other sanctuary cities like Denver and Chicago, has repeatedly sought additional federal support to manage the migrant situation. The cities are facing significant challenges, with Denver’s Mayor Mike Johnston warning of potential cuts in city services due to the strain caused by over 34,000 migrants arriving in his city.