Asylum seekers’ move to Floyd Bennett Field put on hold

The idea was first proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in May to house asylum seekers at the field.

News 12 Staff

Aug 14, 2023, 9:54 PM

Updated 499 days ago

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A proposal to move asylum seekers to Floyd Bennett Field has been put on pause as conversation between the state and federal governments has stalled.  
The idea was first proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in May to house asylum seekers at the field, which is federally operated land. Hochul made her personal pitch to the federal government on Sunday, and despite not reaching an agreement, the governor provided the following statement:  
"I did not take away from that a hard no. So, I think it's just going to be an evolving process, and I fully anticipate we'll get an answer that's important to our people of this community." 
Brooklyn resident Adele Daly says she’s thankful that the Biden administration isn’t signing off on Gov. Hochul’s proposal.  
“If they come to where we fish, they may close the beach,” said Daly. That’s our pastime after working 12, 14, 17-hour days.” 
The governor added that she will be looking into other federal sites to ask the federal government for access, but did not specify which ones.