The Adams administration has announced that pregnant migrants in their third trimester will be granted temporary reprieve from eviction from New York City shelters until their babies are 6 months old. The decision comes after criticism of the administration for uprooting pregnant migrants and newborns during the winter. The city began implementing new 60-day stay limits for migrant families, forcing around 1,600 families to leave shelters by the end of the month. The goal of the new limits is to free up shelter beds for newly arrived migrants. However, this policy has sparked concerns about the well-being of pregnant women and newborns.
City Hall spokesperson Charles Lutvak emphasized that the health and safety of migrants in their care is a priority, and the new shelter limits are part of an effort to help families with children take steps towards permanency and self-sufficiency. Pregnant migrant Maria Quero, who was forced out of her shelter at 35 weeks pregnant, expressed gratitude for the new exemptions, stating that pregnant women undergo emotional changes and moving can be especially difficult for them.
The temporary exemption will alleviate some of the fears and uncertainties faced by pregnant migrants, allowing them to stay in shelters until their babies reach the age of 6 months. While the decision has been welcomed by many, concerns about the overall impact of the 60-day stay limits on migrant families persist. In response to these concerns, the Adams administration has stated that families who are forced out of shelters will have the opportunity to reapply for shelter elsewhere if they cannot find new housing on their own.
This temporary exemption for pregnant migrants reflects an effort by the Adams administration to address the complex needs of migrant families in New York City, while also balancing concerns related to shelter capacity and resources. The decision has brought relief to pregnant migrants facing eviction, but it also signals the ongoing challenges associated with supporting migrant families in the city.
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