As multiple New York counties declare states of emergency in anticipation of asylum seekers, Steuben County officials have released a statement defying this trend.
They believe that the declaration is premature and may lead to potential negative consequences. The county’s officials point out that there is no current indication of asylum seekers being placed in the county, adding that local states of emergency carry a maximum duration of 30 days.
The release further acknowledges Steuben County’s lack of infrastructure to accommodate a surge of asylum seekers, stating that the situation will be continuously monitored.
The officials assured residents that necessary measures, including a potential state of emergency declaration, would be undertaken should a large influx of asylum seekers occur. This stance comes in contrast to several counties, including Yates, Cayuga, Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming, which have invoked a state of emergency due to the migrant influx, with Orleans County referring to a looming “housing crisis.”
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