Migrants line up around the Roosevelt Hotel which was converted into a migrant/homeless shelter
Introduction
Welcome to my Senior Project. I will provide a detailed and impartial take on the Migrant Crisis currently happening in New York City. My goal here is to give you, the reader, insight into the crisis and its various complications. These complications will include the topics of origin, public opinion, education, mental health, crime, politics, and other issues of similar nature. I will be compiling interviews, short written essays, graphs, and images to paint a complete and accurate picture of the crisis. Due to the political and sensitive nature of the subject, I hold impartiality as an integral value of the project. I would also like to emphasize that this is not a political commentary with ulterior motives but rather an effort to clear up the misinformation regarding this humanitarian crisis.
I am an aspiring International Affairs major who was born and raised in New York City. I know that the world is full of similar issues and that rather than starting three thousand miles away to uncover the same issue, I should begin at home. Especially with all the social media attention and misinformation campaigns regarding the crisis.
Before we get into the specifics of this humanitarian crisis, we must understand its root. Moving to the United States has long been a goal of impoverished people to come and enjoy the “American dream.” The demographics of these immigrants have varied as there have been waves or surges in immigration to the United States. New York has been a port city but also a haven and melting pot for immigrants. Yet they notice how this is the “Migrant Crisis” and not the “Immigrant Crisis”. These migrants are immigrants, yet they don't immigrate to New York City; rather, they migrate across the southern border into states like Texas, Arizona, Florida, and New Mexico. These immigrants are caught and forced to migrate north into the northern cities. Federal border patrol and ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) would apprehend these illegal immigrants. They are then housed in federal detainment centers, waiting as years go by before they are either let into the country after the proper paperwork or deported. However, this is only for law enforcement on a federal level; the state level, which consists of state border patrol and other state or county-run law enforcement agencies, follows different protocols. They follow the directions of their state governors. These governors have chartered buses to northern Blue cities and packed them with migrants. These migrants are told that they will be given shelter and a job when they reach the cities, and these are empty promises. They often end up wandering around the cities confused and lost as they are dropped into a place where they have no ties to nor any prospective future. The reasons behind this forced migration are purely political, as Red governors are looking to sow discontent in Blue cities and turn them red. That said, the prospects of the immigrants in the Red States if they stay are grim. They are practically left with the same disposition except in a warmer climate. The argument can be made that the governors are just making a decision in this dilemma. The federal government is heavily restricted in what they can do by bipartisan deadlock. Also, this is a domestic issue between states, and it is in a constitutional grey area. No one is content with the situation, yet at the same time, no one can do much about it.
Migrants walking along the border wall
The Migrant Crisis: Understanding the Causes and Challenges
The current migrant crisis reflects both long-standing aspirations and modern challenges. For generations, individuals have sought the “American Dream,” immigrating to the United States in waves. Historically, cities like New York symbolized opportunity, serving as a melting pot. Today, however, migrants are primarily crossing the southern border into states such as Texas, Arizona, Florida, and New Mexico. This shift has led to new patterns and tensions in how migrants are managed and supported.
Federal agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehend many migrants, often placing them in detention centers for years while they await asylum hearings or deportation. State-level responses, however, vary significantly, reflecting the policies of individual governors. In some southern states, governors have chartered buses to transport migrants to northern, Democratic-led cities, arguing this strategy helps redistribute the burden of care.
These relocations are highly controversial. Migrants are often dropped into unfamiliar cities without resources or support, leaving them disoriented and vulnerable. Critics view these actions as politically motivated attempts to sow discontent in northern cities, while proponents argue they highlight the disproportionate strain on border states.
This crisis has been exacerbated by bipartisan gridlock at the federal level, which has stalled comprehensive immigration reform. The resulting patchwork approach forces states and localities to manage the crisis independently, deepening polarization and leaving migrants in precarious situations. Whether in southern border states or northern cities, many migrants face severe hardships, including limited access to housing, employment, and legal aid.
The migrant crisis is a humanitarian issue rooted in complex political, legal, and social dynamics. While solutions remain elusive, understanding these challenges is a crucial step toward fostering dialogue and driving meaningful change.
Here is an outdated image of our Senior Desks where we do most of the work
What is a Senior Project
The Senior Project is student-run, and the individual is responsible for almost all aspects. The goal is to develop autonomy with students as they control the direction in which it goes. This ranges from creating an art portfolio to building an entire business and books. Each student is assigned a mentor who gently guides them through the process and consults about its details. One of the things we are graded on is the final product—for example, an informative website about the migrant crisis in NYC. The product is usually given for 3-4 months in the school year, yet the student is encouraged to work on the project over the summer.