New York City officials have vacated a Bronx furniture store that was converted to house dozens of migrants in “unsafe living conditions,” according to the New York City Department of Buildings.
The vacate order was issued over “hazardous life-threatening conditions, lack of natural light and ventilation, and severe overcrowding,” according to the DOB.
At least 10 people were transported from the store on Wednesday just days after dozens of migrants were found in a Queens furniture store run by the same person, according to the DOB.
There were 74 migrants located at the store in Queens, most from west Africa, when that location was inspected Monday night.
Google Maps view of 305 East Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, New York.
Google Maps
Others may have relocated on their own or scattered when authorities arrived on the scene, according to the city. The city left up signs on how to get services on the shuttered storefront gate in case more migrants arrived later at night.
Inspectors were called to a two-story commercial building in the Bronx to investigate an “illegal conversion” when they found the store had been illegally converted into sleeping quarters with 45 beds packed tightly across the first floor and cellar, the DOB said.
E-bikes, extension cords, space heaters and hot plates were found throughout the building, the DOB said.
The mayor’s chief of staff, Camille Joseph Varlack, said the city became aware of the store when complaints were filed.
“We went in and found individuals that were living in unsafe conditions. As we would with any New Yorker that we find living in an unsafe condition, we immediately vacated those locations and referred those individuals to additional resources,” Varlack said.
New York City has been faced with a crisis over housing and feeding migrants that have been bused to the city from the southern border by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as part of his Operation Lone Star plan. There have been 37,900 migrants sent to New York City since August 2022, as of Feb. 16, according to the Texas governor’s office.
In a shocking discovery, authorities in New York City recently uncovered a case of illegal housing of migrants in a furniture store in the heart of the city. The investigation began when concerned citizens reported suspicious activity at the store, prompting law enforcement to launch a thorough inspection of the premises.
What they found was truly alarming – dozens of migrants, mostly from Central and South America, were living in cramped and unsanitary conditions within the store. The living quarters were makeshift, with mattresses and blankets scattered on the floor, and basic amenities such as proper ventilation and plumbing were lacking. It was clear that these individuals were being exploited and forced to live in deplorable conditions.
The store owner, who has since been arrested, was found to be profiting off the labor of these migrants by paying them below minimum wage and providing substandard living arrangements. This case highlights the dark underbelly of human trafficking and exploitation that continues to plague our society.
Illegal housing of migrants is not a new phenomenon, but it is a growing problem in cities like New York where affordable housing is scarce and vulnerable populations are easily taken advantage of. Many migrants, desperate for work and a better life, fall prey to unscrupulous individuals who promise them jobs and shelter only to exploit them for their own gain.
It is crucial that authorities continue to crack down on these illegal practices and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The safety and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, must be protected.
In the aftermath of this discovery, efforts are being made to provide support and assistance to the migrants who were rescued from the furniture store. Social service agencies are working to ensure that they have access to proper housing, legal representation, and other resources to help them rebuild their lives.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater oversight and regulation of businesses that may be engaging in illegal activities. It is up to all of us to speak out against exploitation and stand up for the rights of those who are most vulnerable in our society. Only through collective action can we hope to put an end to these egregious violations of human rights.
