Staten Island residents are speaking out against the operation of a shelter for asylum seekers in a local church.
This is the Faith United Methodist Church, located on Heberton Avenue in Port Richmond, which has been serving migrants since June 18, providing food and a bed to 15 single adults between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
We reached out to the mayor’s office and were told through a spokesperson that they share the frustration that residents feel about this humanitarian crisis, and that only one percent of the asylum-seeking immigrants in the city’s care are located on Staten Island.
At the time, Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks, who represents the north coast of Staten Island, which includes Port Richmond, spoke out about the situation
Hanks said she does not support immigrants moving into the basement of Faith United Methodist Church.
“The residents of this district are tired. They are tired of constantly waking up one day and finding out that an institution they trusted has made a decision that they believe will have a negative impact on their community and their safety,” Hanks said.
The area surrounding the church is mostly residential, with a school just a few blocks away.
Residents insist this is not the right place to build a shelter.
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