The most illegal migrant camps in NYC are in Queens in the districts of Congressman Meeks (39) and Ocasio-Cortez (26). What are they doing about it? NOTHING!
On July 7, the New York Post revealed the location of all 193 migrant shelters in New York City. More than one third of them are in Queens. It should surprise nobody that Congressman Gregory Meeks’ district is host to by far the most migrant camps – 39.
Some may think it appropriate that his district got the lion’s share since Representative Meeks has long been a proponent of open borders and he supported the policies of President Biden that created this crisis. However, it is incredibly unfair to the residents of our district – especially in Jamaica and South Ozone Park. We are homeowners and citizens, just trying to make a life. Now we have the added burdens of overcrowded schools, increased lawlessness, and reduced services.
How did we get here? During the first two weeks of his presidency, Joe Biden issued multiple executive orders that opened the southern border to a massive surge in illegal immigration. Of course, Meeks supported the President. According to ABC News’ 538 website, he votes with Biden 100% of the time. He has a 0% rating from the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which is indicative of his voting record that consistently favors loosening immigration policies. Our Congressman likes an open border… but I doubt he anticipated the disaster that followed. Still, even after his constituents bore the brunt of more than 65,000 migrants in Queens, Mr. Meeks strongly opposed the Republican-sponsored Secure the Border Act of 2023. He said we must not “turn our backs on asylum seekers” even though it was common knowledge that the vast majority of the people crossing the southern border were making fraudulent asylum claims.
What has our Congressman done to address the crisis? Mr. Meeks often touts his ability to bring home the bacon. Unfortunately, as the migrant tab in NYC ran into the billions and the City began to cut services, virtually no help came from DC. When Governor Hochul pushed hard to lease space for a migrant camp in Floyd Bennett Field, our Congressman was correct in saying it was a bad idea. When the illegal lease was issued, what did Meeks do in support of his constituents? Nothing. Indeed, Rockaway civic leaders have not heard a peep from him on this issue in more than one year. Our Congressman has done nothing to stem the tide of illegal immigrants and nothing to relieve the pain of migrant camps here in Queens.
What should your Congressman do? Recently, Meeks has picked up the spin that our border crisis is due to Republican failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform. If that were the case, it would also reflect his own failure to get anything done in the last 25 years. So, what is he offering today? Beyond recommending parole –a.k.a. a free pass into America– for even more migrants, Meeks has no solutions.
On the other hand, I –as the future Congressman in NY-05– will work every day to secure the border, fix our immigration system, help cities like New York restore services to their American citizens, and –long-term– address the root causes of illegal immigration with our neighbors in Central and South America.
It is shameful that our southern border was ripped wide open and left that way for three years. It is shameful that the impact of Biden’s bad policy decisions has fallen disproportionately on Southeast Queens. It is inexcusable that our congressional representatives have done nothing to relieve the burden.
Queens is the home of the American Dream. It is where legal immigrants and citizens strive to own homes, start businesses, and build a better life for our families. It is not a dumping ground for the Biden/Harris Border failures or a giant camp for illegal immigrants.
