Hundreds of migrants wait 25 hours in freezing cold temperatures for ICE meetings in NYC 

Hundreds of migrants waited more than 25 hours in almost-freezing temperatures for their processing appointments with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Offices (ICE) in New York City, as the agency struggles to keep up with the influx of migrants, The New York Post reported. 

Many of the migrants had appointments scheduled with ICE officers on Tuesday and Wednesday, but due to the backlogged immigration system, they had to wait overnight in 34-degree temperatures before being told to go home. Several migrants had young children and babies with them. 

“This is how it works. It is no good,” Ecuadorian migrant Stephanie R. told The Post.

Stephanie and her family, including her 5-year-old daughter, arrived at the immigration offices at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday for their 9 a.m. meeting. However, they were turned away, she explained. 

"In the paper, it says the appointment is 9 a.m. yesterday but the people from here ask, ‘What time is your appointment?’ I say, 9 am. He says, ‘You missed it! Come back tonight! You’re going to have to wait in the line tonight to get another appointment,” Stephanie said through a translator.

“I say, missed it? It’s not for 2 and a half hours? I think he is crazy so I wait,” she added.

While they were waiting for hours in the cold to get another appointment, Stephanie’s daughter developed a cough. After waiting throughout the night, her family was told that the agency would not be able to uphold their appointment. 

Stephanie was just one of many who went through a similar situation. 

Frustrated that their appointments are being ignored, many migrants started setting up tents outside of New York’s ICE offices at 26 Federal Plaza. The newcomers were seen spreading cardboard boxes, blankets, and backpacks on the floor as they set up their campground, reported Spectrum New NY1. 

Many migrants told NY1 that they were taking extreme measures because ICE was processing migrants on a first come, first served basis, instead of honoring those who had previous appointments. 

ICE told the New York Post that it was “working to address current processing delays at some ICE offices.”

Thousands of migrants have been arriving in New York City from border areas since the Spring. At least 26,000 asylum seekers had gone through the city’s intake system, city officials said. Additionally, about 18,700 migrants were being hosted at the city’s 57 emergency shelters.