Residents taking a stand against Floyd Bennett Field as new home for migrants

Residents protested at Floyd Bennett Field, with some marching all the way from Queens to Brooklyn to oppose this plan.

News 12 Staff and Shniece Archer

Aug 23, 2023, 12:15 AM

Updated 409 days ago

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As thousands of migrants prepare to head to Brooklyn to stay at Floyd Bennett Field, hundreds of residents gathered to say no to the move.  
Residents protested at Floyd Bennett Field, with some marching all the way from Queens to Brooklyn to oppose this plan. Those protesting say that the area isn’t a good space to house anyone, and that there are concerns for the community’s safety with the housing of migrants here. 
“I live here, I grew up here. It’s going to make the neighborhood way more dangerous,” said Madeline Salamista, Brooklyn resident.  
This stems from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan after space in New York City became increasingly limited to house migrants. The Biden administration approved the use of Floyd Bennett Field to house migrants on Monday.  
About 2,500 male asylum seekers will be able to call Floyd Bennett Field their new home once a final agreement is signed.
Former Republican mayoral candidate and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, who was arrested at another protest at Staten Island a few days ago, joined in with protesters against this migrant housing site.  
“The people here feel that they have been betrayed,” said Sliwa. “No transparency whatsoever. It’s like ‘pay your taxes, shut up, raise your kids, and we’ll tell you what you’re going to do’. Well we’ve had enough, no more of the illegal aliens. Enough is enough, this is Joe Biden’s problem.” 
Some residents told News 12 they think that this is just putting a Band-Aid on a bigger issue that the city needs to address by focusing on those who are already living here.