NYC Sparks Outrage with Plans to House Migrants in Schools and Jails

New York City officials are considering using the now-shuttered Otis Bantum Correctional Center (OBCC) on Rikers Island to house migrants entering the city. The move is one of several being considered by Mayor Adams’ administration to address the wave of migrants. The Department of Correction began a renovation project in the OBCC with the plan to use it to house detainees again, but with the migrant crisis deepening, Adams administration officials have seriously explored the idea of putting asylum seekers at OBCC instead. Councilwoman Carlina Rivera expressed concern about using jail facilities to house people who haven’t committed a crime.