By NEWSBREAK Staff | May 7, 2025
New York City — Shocking new data reveals that thousands of migrants have been arrested while living in New York City’s shelter system, raising fresh concerns about public safety, resource allocation, and the city’s ongoing response to the migrant crisis.
According to recently released figures obtained through a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request, more than 2,800 migrants were arrested between spring 2022 and early 2025 while residing in city-run shelters. The charges range from minor infractions to more serious offenses, including theft, assault, and drug-related activity.
City officials confirmed the data’s accuracy but emphasized that the arrests represent a small fraction of the overall migrant population being housed. “We have over 180,000 migrants who have passed through our care since 2022,” one city spokesperson said. “The vast majority are law-abiding individuals seeking a better life. But we cannot ignore the challenges presented by a small minority.”
Mayor Eric Adams, who has faced mounting criticism over his administration’s handling of the influx, addressed the report at a press conference Tuesday morning. “We are a city of immigrants and compassion,” Adams said, “but we are also a city of law and order. We will not tolerate criminal behavior from anyone, regardless of immigration status.”
Critics argue the data underscores systemic failures in both federal immigration policy and local management. “This isn’t about demonizing migrants — it’s about demanding accountability from leadership,” said City Councilmember Robert Holden. “We need better screening, oversight, and support services.”
Advocates for immigrant rights, however, caution against using the numbers to stoke fear. “People forget that many of these arrests may not result in convictions,” said Maria López of the New York Immigrant Coalition. “Let’s be clear: homelessness and poverty are not crimes. We should focus on solutions, not scapegoating.”
As the debate continues, the city remains under pressure to balance humanitarian needs with public safety. With shelter occupancy still at record highs and budgets stretched thin, the Adams administration faces tough decisions ahead.
Thousands of the migrants who’ve arrived in New York City in recent years were arrested for various crimes, including assaults, robberies and rapes, while residing in city-run shelters across the five boroughs, new data shows.
On Monday, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of South Brooklyn, released New York City’s response to her request for crime data surrounding the administration’s migrant shelters.
“After 1.5 years and multiple broken promises and delays, I finally received a response to my Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request with the City of New York for migrant crime data and the results are deeply disturbing. It turns out NYC taxpayers paid to house 3,219 arrestees between January 2023 and October 2024 in shelters and luxury hotel rooms at billions of dollars in taxpayer expense,” the congresswoman wrote.
This is a developing story. Stay with NEWSBREAK for continuing coverage.