1st bus of asylum seekers arrives in Orange County, as NYC says it’s out of options

NEWBURGH, N.Y. — The first bus carrying asylum seekers has arrived in Orange County, New York. 

It pulled in Thursday morning at the Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh. 

New York City is trying to house hundreds of asylum seekers at hotels in the Hudson Valley, with four months of city-paid shelter, food and services. 

In Rockland County, those plans are on hold after local officials got a restraining order, saying the city outreach was minimal and long-term sheltering is not permitted. The sheriff has been authorized to stop any New York City vehicles attempting to bring asylum seekers into the county.     

Rockland community members held a news conference Thursday morning in Spring Valley, accusing County Executive Ed Day and Congressman Mike Lawler of engaging in anti-immigrant rhetoric, misinformation and dangerous stereotypes. 

“We are demonizing people who are simply trying to find a path to live their lives in peace and give their families an opportunity to strive,” one person said. “We as Americans should be standing for that opportunity.”

County executives in both Orange and Rockland issued emergency orders to stop any relocations. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul has said her team is looking at the constitutionality of that.

Meanwhile, New York City temporarily suspended its right-to-shelter rules that immediately find private rooms for those arriving.