NEW YORK, NY — In response to the ongoing influx of asylum seekers, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has extended the state of emergency, initially declared on October 7, 2022, through Emergency Executive Order No. 224. The extension, announced in Emergency Executive Order No. 516, dated November 6, 2023, prolongs the city’s heightened response for an additional five days.
The order acknowledges the arrival of thousands of individuals and families seeking asylum as a continuing humanitarian crisis. This situation has placed unprecedented demands on the city’s resources, particularly affecting the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Shelter System, which is already serving tens of thousands of people.
The Mayor, leveraging his authority under the laws of the State of New York and the City of New York, aims to address the immediate needs of asylum seekers while maintaining essential services for current DHS Shelter System users. The order highlights the necessity of extraordinary measures to manage the crisis effectively.
The extended state of emergency is effective immediately and will remain in place for five days, subject to earlier termination or modification. This decisive action underscores the city’s commitment to handling the asylum seeker situation with urgency and care, balancing the needs of new arrivals with those of existing residents in need.