Elon Musk Response to Migrants Being Sheltered in NYC Schools

This use of the high school forced students into a remote learning situation the following day, which drew backlash from parents and others, including Elon Musk.

In response to a Libs of TikTok video showing migrants coming off of a yellow school bus, Musk wrote, “This is what happens when you run out of hotel rooms. Soon, cities will run out of schools to vacate. Then they will come for your homes.”

Their tweet shouted out that “School is closed tomorrow because illegals will be sleeping in the school’s gym. This is disgraceful! NYC is prioritizing illegals over Americans.”

Residents of NYC have criticized the city’s use of the abandoned airfield, due to its vulnerability to coastal flooding from storms and exposure to high-speed winds. The evening that migrants were moved, there was an expectation of 70 mph winds.

Adams, a Democrat, continued, “While families are already in the process of temporarily being relocated, the city will ensure that essential services and the highest level of support are provided to all impacted by this decision.”

This abnormal influx of migrants into the city was largely prompted by Texas governor Greg Abbott’s decision to develop stricter southern border security. He has started a busing campaign that sends migrants north from Texas.

The city is partly under legal obligation to do so. Under the city’s unique “Right to Shelter” law, it must provide shelter and food to homeless people, including migrants. The New York State Constitution states that “the aid, care and support of the needy are public concerns and shall be provided by the state and by such of its subdivisions, and in such manner and by such means, as the legislature may from time to time determine.”

Healey has gone so far as to ask families in Massachusetts to seriously consider sponsoring migrants and hosting them in their homes. This comes as a last resort in response to the state’s maxed out shelter system.

For example, New York City councilmember Inna Vernikov has stated that “Our public schools are meant to be places of learning and growth for our children, and were never intended to be shelters or facilities for emergency housing.” Vernikov has further added that parents are right to be concerned, and that this move could potentially disrupt the entire school environment and place massive burdens on administration.

The rallying has been primarily motivated by a lack of teacher engagement in the remote learning environment that students have been forced into. Parents interviewed by news outlets on site stated that some teachers have not shown up to their remote classes, while others have appeared for a few minutes, assigned some work, and promptly logged off.

Reilly, who introduced a bipartisan bill some time ago to try and stop schools from being used as potential shelter, stated that “We knew this was going to happen. Today it’s James Madison. Where’s tomorrow? Or the next day? These storms are coming. It’s the winter time.”

Some have noted that there are copious amounts of abandoned commercial property that the city could use. Zach Iscol from New York City Emergency Management has noted that everyone realizes the need for improved temporary sheltering amid the crisis. He says that the city projects to spend $4.7 billion in migrant relief to fix mounting issues throughout 2024.