In an operation led by the FDNY, 87 migrants were discovered living in a basement beneath a furniture store in Queens, New York. The discovery was made late Monday night at 132-03 Liberty Ave. in Richmond Hill, sparked by a neighbor’s complaint about e-bikes in the property’s backyard, which led to an inspection.
The migrants, primarily from Senegal, were found crammed into makeshift living quarters, complete with bunk beds and mattresses laid out across the floor. The inspection revealed several safety violations, including inadequate plumbing, ventilation, and only one exit, prompting the issuance of a full vacate order due to the unsafe and overcrowded conditions.
The furniture store’s owner, Ebou Sarr, charged each migrant $300 per month, claiming to provide them with meals and accommodations out of a desire to help his fellow Africans in the absence of adequate city support.
“The guys would be sleeping on the street for days, so when they started coming to me and telling me their stories, I started helping them,” Sarr said tearfully. “Since they aren’t giving them a place to stay, we will do this ourselves.”
Sarr’s actions, while controversial, highlight a desperate attempt to address the housing crisis facing New York City, particularly among its migrant population. The migrants were subsequently transported to a shelter in the Bronx, though many expressed uncertainty about their future accommodations.
Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged the incident, stressing the city’s obligation to respond to such illegal conversions while also pointing to the broader issue of housing shortages and exploitation within the city.
“We have an obligation with DOB and FDNY and all of our services to respond and take necessary action. That’s what was done last night, and we’re still looking at what exactly took place,” Mayor Eric Adams said.
The event underscores the complex challenges New York faces in managing its migrant crisis and housing shortage, with city officials and the community grappling with the need for more sustainable solutions to accommodate and integrate its growing migrant population.
