Tragedy struck as an 11-year-old boy was found unresponsive at the Stratford Arms Hotel in New York City, designated as a migrant shelter. The New York Police Department responded to a 911 call and discovered the unconscious child in the hotel lobby. Despite emergency medical services’ efforts, the boy was pronounced deceased at Mount Sinai West Hospital. The cause of death is yet to be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and an ongoing NYPD investigation aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Stratford Arms Hotel, located on the Upper West Side, was repurposed as a “humanitarian relief center” by Mayor Eric Adams in June to provide temporary shelter for migrant families. New York City has faced challenges in managing the migrant crisis, leading to the utilization of various facilities, including hotels, to accommodate the influx of asylum seekers. The Stratford Arms, along with other locations on West 85th Street, serves more than 800 migrants in 516 rooms, according to the mayor’s office.
In September, the hotel transitioned to housing families with children and women, relocating 500 single adult males. However, prior to the transfer, local residents expressed concerns about disturbances in the neighborhood, including alleged prostitution and violations of city code, such as the use of unlicensed motorbikes.
Mayor Adams, during a recent visit to Washington, D.C., met with federal lawmakers but acknowledged the lack of optimism regarding federal intervention in assisting cities like New York with the migrant crisis. He emphasized that the burden of addressing the crisis would continue to be carried by the cities, despite the strain on resources and budget deficits. New York City has received over 140,000 migrants since last year, resulting in overwhelmed social services and significant budget cuts in various sectors, including policing, sanitation, and education.