Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - 44 migrants who have been temporarily housed at SUNY Buffalo State University since being transported from the New York City area will be displaced as the university has decided to end its revocable permit that had been in place since May.
"This revocable permit was intended as a temporary solution, a steppingstone for Jericho Road as it sought more permanent housing for these families," Buffalo State Interim President Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D. said in a statement.
The permit revocation comes at a time wen the university is ramping up for its fall semester and housing students on campus, Durand explained. "As the academic year begins, it is crucial we continue to ensure our focus is on launching the academic year for students and the Buffalo State campus. After careful consideration, I made the difficult decision to not enter into an additional revocable permit. I want to assure you this decision was not taken lightly but was reached with the best interests of our students and campus community in mind."
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The displacement of the dozens of migrants comes as the Town of Cheektowaga is working to end the migrant housing at a Dingens Street hotel where there have been two alleged incidents of sexual assault involving migrants.
As a result of those incidents, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said the agreement to accept any new migrants from the New York City area has been suspended for the time being.
Jericho Road CEO Dr. Myron Glick has expressed disappointment in the Buffalo State decision, telling WIVB; “These asylum seekers have fled atrocities in their home country and are seeking a safe place to call home here in our community,” Dr. Glick said. “When we do nothing as others suffer, we become responsible for what we witness. We know this community to be a welcoming place, we know it as ‘the city of good neighbors.’ It is time for that Buffalo to step up.”