Frum Community Alarmed After False Report Claims Illegal Migrants Squatting Upstate NY In The Catskills

By FrumNews.com

Panic spread within the frum community as social media posts have been spreading recently on WhatsApp claiming that illegal migrants have been squatting in Bungalow Colonies and Summer Camps in the Catskills.

FrumNews.com reporters have been extensively speaking to Askunim and local officials in the know to get to the bottom of this.

What caused these rumors?

Over the past year, that as New York City suffers an illegal migrant crisis, a new “solution” has opened up: Send them upstate, to migrant shelters upstate. (Additional solutions have been suggested as well, such as moving them to other States with the help of the Federal Government).

In early March, NYC released a blueprint named “The Road Forward,” aimed at fixing the migrant crisis. It says the city is “in the early stage of being able to assist asylum seekers in relocating to their preferred city of choice.”

The blueprint includes relocating and housing illegal migrants outside NYC, which includes Rockland, the Catskills Mountains and Sullivan County.

The blueprint urges, “Localities throughout the state to welcome ‘migrants’ seeking refuge. With additional funding from New York State, community-based organizations can help migrants settle outside New York City. Locating, running, and operating sites outside of and in New York City to provide short and long-term housing and shelter.”

Tucked deep in the blueprint, is a new “migrant workforce training pilot” program, to house migrants upstate to earn a post-secondary credential or degree, and live in college residence halls, including SUNY Sullivan College in Loch Sheldrake, NY, near Liberty and Center for Discovery in Harris, NY, near Monticello and South Fallsburg—with full accommodations.

“Asylum seekers will also receive workforce training through The Center for Discovery in health care, human services, hospitality, culinary, and agricultural sectors. One of the program’s goals is to develop a blueprint so that others around the state can replicate the model.” The pilot plan stated.

While the pilot program has not yet been finalized, officials say details are under negotiation and called the announcement premature.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who serves as chair of the House Republican Conference, blasted the plan, accusing the city of “making a permanent welfare system for illegal immigrants in New York State.”

In October 2023, Mayor Adams declared a state of emergency over the migrant crisis. An estimated 50,000 migrants have been processed by the city since the spring and more than 31,000 are living at city-wide emergency shelters at a cost to taxpayers of around $4.6 million a day.

Are there Migrants Squatting in the Catskills?

Local Askunim that reside year-round upstate told FrumNews.com that to the best of their knowledge, no illegal migrants have been found squatting in the Catskills Mountains and that those social media messages are misinformation that people should not be sharing or forwarding on WhatsApp.

Rabbi Abe Rosenberg from the Sullivan County JCC informed FrumNews.com that he is in direct contact with the Sullivan County Undersheriff and that the Sheriff’s office is unaware of any migrants squatting in the entire Sullivan County.