More than 200,000 migrants and asylum seekers have arrived in New York City over the past two years, many of them fleeing poverty, political unrest, and violence. As the city grapples with its most significant migrant influx in decades, the looming return of Donald Trump to the White House has left many in fear of deportation and uncertainty.
On a crisp autumn day, Diana Zarate stood outside the Roosevelt Hotel, clutching the suitcases that contained her family’s belongings. The 33-year-old Venezuelan, who had sought asylum in the United States, had called the Roosevelt Hotel home for two months. The hotel, with its 850 rooms, was repurposed as a migrant shelter in 2023 and has since become a lifeline for thousands of newcomers. But as the country braces for another round of presidential elections, the hotel has become a symbol of the fear and instability faced by many migrants in New York City.
Zarate and her family had fled Venezuela, where political and economic turmoil under President Nicolás Maduro had left them struggling to survive. With hopes for a better life, they arrived in the U.S. in the last days of President Joe Biden’s administration. But with Trump set to return to office in January, Zarate fears for her future in the country. “Trump said he was going to do the biggest deportation and remove political asylum,” Zarate said. “That worries me because I am coming to this country to work and give a better future to my children.”
Under New York City’s sanctuary city policies, migrants like Zarate were given shelter and support, but these provisions are under increasing strain. New York has long provided shelter to anyone in need, regardless of immigration status. However, the rapid influx of migrants from over 160 countries, many of whom were bused into the city by Republican governors as part of a political maneuver, has stretched the city’s resources to their limits. The city has already welcomed over 214,000 migrants and asylum seekers since 2022, adding to the approximately 400,000 undocumented immigrants already residing in New York.
At the height of the crisis, New York City set up more than 200 shelters and relief stations, providing housing, food, and services for incoming migrants. Yet, even with these efforts, Mayor Eric Adams has acknowledged the overwhelming strain on the city’s resources, with projections estimating that the city will spend at least $12 billion on the migrant crisis by 2025.
The prospect of a Trump presidency has further complicated the situation. Trump has repeatedly vowed to end sanctuary cities and deport undocumented migrants, pledging to launch the “largest deportation program” in U.S. history on his first day in office. His administration is also expected to revoke temporary protected status for nationals from countries such as Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua, who had previously been allowed to remain in the U.S. due to unstable conditions in their home countries. Trump’s rhetoric has added to the climate of fear already permeating New York’s migrant communities.
During a campaign rally in October, Trump declared, “The day I take the oath of office, the migrant invasion of our country ends.” His comments, which included claims that “criminals” were flooding into the country, were aimed at garnering support from his base, particularly in areas like New York, which he often criticizes for its liberal immigration policies.
Zarate’s fears are shared by many in the migrant community. The Roosevelt Hotel, once a place of temporary refuge, is now a symbol of the precariousness many asylum seekers face. Family after family arrives, many with little more than their belongings packed into bags. For some, the shelter is a temporary stop before they find a more permanent home; for others, it is a fleeting safety before they are moved to another facility or potentially face eviction.
As the political landscape shifts, New York City’s stance as a sanctuary for migrants is under intense pressure. Mayor Eric Adams has said he will work with the incoming Trump administration, signaling that the city may need to cooperate with federal immigration authorities to some degree. This includes discussing potential deportation plans with Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan. While Adams has stated that he does not support mass deportation, he has also emphasized that “law-abiding” migrants are welcome, but those who commit violent acts will not be shielded from the law.
The prospect of collaboration with the Trump administration has drawn concern from activists and immigrant rights groups, who warn that the city’s cooperation could lead to mass deportations that would tear apart families and devastate vulnerable communities. Already, cities like New York that have long been considered sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants are facing increased pressure to comply with federal immigration enforcement.
For people like Anthony Morales, a 30-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker who arrived in New York from Caracas with his pregnant partner, the fear is palpable. Morales, who fled Venezuela’s economic collapse and political repression, has also been staying at the Roosevelt Hotel while waiting for his asylum application to be processed. As he rolled a cannabis cigarette outside the shelter, he reflected on the long and difficult journey that brought him to New York. “What Trump said is worrying,” he said. “It would be very sad for many immigrants who have still fought to get here to be deported without being given the opportunity to get ahead.”
Morales’ story is echoed by many other migrants who have traveled long distances, risking their lives to reach the U.S. in search of a better life. For them, the uncertainty of the political climate under Trump’s return is an ominous cloud hanging over their dreams of stability and safety.
As the city braces for what could be a turbulent period for its migrant communities, protests are expected. Advocacy groups and activists are preparing for a fight to protect the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers, even as they face growing opposition from federal authorities. The outcome of this struggle will likely define the future of New York City’s sanctuary policies and the fate of countless migrants seeking refuge in one of the world’s most iconic cities.
The Larger Implications of the Migrant Crisis
New York City’s migrant crisis is not an isolated incident. Across the United States, the surge in asylum seekers is forcing cities to confront the complex issues of immigration reform, housing, and public services. The migrant crisis has exposed deep divides in American politics, with cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago pushing back against federal immigration policies that aim to limit or eliminate sanctuary protections. As the Biden administration’s policies continue to face challenges from Republican-led states and now a potential second Trump administration, the nation is at a crossroads on how to handle its growing migrant population.
For many migrants, the journey to the United States is just the beginning of a long struggle for security, legal recognition, and stability. As the debate over immigration reform intensifies, the stories of those like Zarate and Morales will continue to highlight the human cost of political decisions that shape the future of America’s immigration system.