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Albany latest county to name state of emergency

May 24, 2023 12:55 am

Steve Hughes reports in the Times Union that Albany County Executive Dan McCoy was the latest local leader to declare a state of emergency and issued an emergency order on May 23 because of the possibility that asylum seekers from New York City might temporarily be bused to the county. McCoy's directive means the county’s Department of Social Services will work with the state to plan for the relocation of up to 200 families in Albany County. But McCoy's order also bans any businesses, including motels, or people ,from bringing migrants or asylum seekers to the county without the county’s permission. McCoy said, “I am hopeful that these requirements ensure the proper dignity and respect for all persons.” And he also criticized those governors in Florida and Texas, and mayor of New York City, who are busing migrants around the country. McCoy said, “Allowing for the transportation of busloads of migrant families within our county communities without a plan and without clear communication does not protect our residents and it does not protect the migrant families seeking asylum.” The state may also be trying to put some migrants at the University of Albany over the summer. The State University of New York is in discussions to house asylum seekers at two other SUNY campuses, so University of Albany could be a third. Assemblywoman Pat Fahy, chair of the Assembly’s Higher Education Committee, said, "My understanding directly from SUNY is that at this point it is still not final.... I'm proud to live in Albany, where we are a welcoming community." Read more about this story in the Times Union.

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