The New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging emergency orders in Rockland and Orange counties aimed at preventing migrants from staying in hotels there.
The lawsuit is the latest legal challenge in the increasingly contentious situation, as more migrants are expected to enter New York in the coming days, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces to the consequences of a voluntary program to move people north.
Rockland and Orange county executives announced emergency orders that would prevent hotels from accepting migrants. Counties in other areas of the state have followed suit.
The New York Civil Liberties Union called the orders illegal.
“The emergency orders in Orange County and Rockland flagrantly violate the rights of migrants,” said Amy Belsher, the group’s director of immigration rights litigation. “Migrants have every right to travel and reside anywhere in New York, free from xenophobic harassment and discrimination. People are not political pawns – both counties should be welcoming migrants into their communities, not illegally barring them from seeking refuge.”
The lawsuit comes a day after Rockland County won a temporary injunction to prevent migrants from being housed in a hotel. Rockland County officials pointed to the result as a sign they had firm legal ground.
“We don’t normally comment on pending litigation, but we strongly believe that what we are doing is right and legal, as evidenced by the court’s Temporary Restraining Order granted Thursday,” said County spokeswoman Beth Cefalu.
Justin Rodriguez, an Orange County spokesman, said officials had not yet been served with the lawsuit.
Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters Wednesday that her office was reviewing the constitutionality of the county orders. On Thursday, Hochul said his office was working to identify potential places to house migrants, though he did not provide specific locations.
