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New York City Mayor Eric Adams visited the southern border of the United States this week and that apparently created a stir.
Why?
The New York Times reports:
(Mayor Adams) is trying to increase pressure on President Biden to provide federal help to New York City, which is dealing with an influx of migrants. He is showing compassion for people whose lives have been upended while also insisting that they stop coming to his city.
Politico wrote that, as recently as yesterday, Mayor Adams said, “There’s no more room” in New York City for people seeking asylum.
This is the throes of winter. It’s cold. Major winter storms are no longer an odd occurrence. They’re practically the norm.
People unwillingly living on the streets can die.
So, if there’s no place in New York City — and no funding from the federal and state governments — where can one house migrants?
Maybe somewhere near New York City? Inches away.
Like, maybe on the water?
Politico’s Julia Marsh writes, “Without additional funds to address the ongoing flow of migrants, the city may have to revive a controversial plan to put migrants on cruise ships docked in city ports.”
The idea certainly is not without precedent.
Curisehive notes, “Over the last months, the Netherlands used a chartered cruise ship from Holland America Line to house Ukrainian refugees, which was considered a success by all involved parties.”
The BBC also had a recent story about thousands more Ukrainian refugees spending over five months on the MS Ambition that was docked in Glasgow, Scotland.
And it appears Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) could be a safe, erm, Haven for those desperately needing refuge in the USA.
Sweet! Let’s a Get a Free Vacation!
Perish the thought, sickos.
To be clear, I highly doubt being put on a ship would be an amazing free NCL experience that most paying guests enjoy on a voyage.
I don’t think these cruise ship occupants would be presented with the opportunities to enjoy comedy or production shows, wine pairings with filets mignon, or trips down the waterslides.
Sure, the folks ending up on a cruise ship seem far more fortunate than those spending nights in a New York City homeless shelter. Safety? Privacy? Your own personal bathroom and shower and a cabin attendant to clean your room?
That’s part of the American dream.
I’m also curious if and how the occupants could leave the boat — due to passport status, any COVID regulations (which seem to be fairly fluid), etc.
And how is this for ironic: excursions to the Statue of Liberty would probably not be permitted. (Though, Ellis Island has a very dark history — as one cruise narrator darkly drilled into our heads during a night cruise around the Hudson and East Rivers.)
Frankly, I doubt the ships would even leave port as part of the agreement.
So, to those hoping to skip across the southern US border and claim asylum just to get a free stay on a cruise ship overlooking Manhattan: gross.
What Do You Think?
Are cruise ships good alternatives for those needing somewhere to stay? If ships aren’t needed, why not use them to house people legitimately needing somewhere to stay?
Please share your thoughts — while keeping it as clean and sanitary as the poolside towels on a ship — in the below Comments section. – Chris
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Here’s a radical idea. Close the border.
Yes I agree rjb==close the order.!!!.If Texas is handling 2 million illegals why can’t New york handle at least 50,000 a week??? If you look at the hotel mess done by cities in Calif putting the homeless in them… The rooms are trashed,furniture broken drugs being used and sold I would imagine the cruise ships would be in the same state after a few weeks.. The Ukraine escapees seem to take care of their rooms and want to get work visas to support their families ad move off the ships…