Asylum Seekers

Nearly a year ago, migrants began arriving in Albany County as part of a political dispute stretching from the southern border to New York City. While the newcomers try to assimilate, local leaders say work continues to accommodate the new arrivals.

As New York state continues to deal with an influx of tens of thousands of migrants, Albany city and county officials gathered Wednesday to discuss strategies for integrating asylum seekers.

The company hired by New York City to coordinate services and the relocation of migrants upstate is being investigated by state Attorney General Tish James.

The Mohonasen and North Colonie school districts are preparing to welcome students from migrant families when school starts next month.

Asylum-seekers, migrants and refugees have long looked to the United States for shelter from economic and political turmoil. As they continue to arrive in upstate New York from New York City, the migrants and local communities are both confronting confusion and uncertainty.

(Airs 08/10/23 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina speaks with Ed Cox, Chairman of the New York State Republican Party about redistricting, bail reform, climate change, Donald Trump's indictments, and more.

The Rotterdam Town Board has approved a new law addressing panhandling.

Since last spring close to 100,000 asylum seekers have arrived in New York City. In early May, Mayor Eric Adams announced plans to begin busing asylum seekers upstate. By the end of the month buses reached the Capital Region. No one was prepared for what happened next.

With the arrival of migrant children in Rotterdam, the Mohonasen School District is gearing up to serve their educational needs.

Hundreds of asylum seekers relocated to the Capital Region from New York City in recent months have faced challenges finding work and getting resettled. But in Rotterdam, in Schenectady County, people who were living at the Super8 Motel before the migrants arrived in July have also had to scramble.