The NYPD and authorities cleared out the migrant shelter on Randall's Island on Friday so they could do a full check of the shelter. The NYPD took this action due to numerous violent incidents that have occurred there in the past two months.

NYPD Searching.Photo byEthan From Flickr

They told the tens of thousands of migrants who live there that they had to leave while police searched for suspects and proof in several cases.

The 3,000 people who lived there had to wait outside for hours while police looked for drugs and guns.

Police report increasing complaints about life quality and criminality near the shelter and other locations.

Gun Violence

A shooter opened fire on a crowd early Monday morning, killing one woman, 44 years old. Two other people were hurt.

There were also two other shootings earlier this month, and police think the victims may have been part of a Venezuelan gang.

A woman from Ecuador told Eyewitness News that someone stole her bag while she was at work. Someone who doesn't live there kept jumping over the fence and getting around security, so she said there needs to be better security.

The Legal Aid Response

Legal Aid said in a statement that they think the search is against the Constitution:

A part of the statement said that temporarily moving and searching 3,000 newcomers despite today's heat warning is not only against the Constitution but also harsh and feeds dangerous xenophobic feelings.

These actions intensify the trauma our clients and other shelter residents have already endured. They have endured significant hardships both on their journey to New York and in their home countries due to their sexual and gender identities, political beliefs, and other factors.