CITIZENS NEWS

Queens residents call for federal action in face of chronic crime and homelessness

By bellecarter // 2025-01-25

• A letter addressed to President Donald Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, from local leaders and activists in Queens, highlights the surge in crime and homelessness in the Roosevelt Avenue area of Corona, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst.
• The influx of homeless migrants along Roosevelt Avenue has led to criminal activities, including drug dealing, harassment, theft and lesser crimes like public urination and littering.
• A local barbershop had to close due to the presence of 50 homeless individuals in front of it, and the community's efforts to reclaim public spaces have been met with mixed success due to sanctuary city policies.
• Activists and community leaders are urging the Department of Homeland Security to visit the area to assess the situation and take action, including potential deportations, while also acknowledging the need to address the root causes of homelessness and crime.
• The situation in Queens highlights the national debate over immigration policy, urban planning, and community safety, reflecting similar challenges faced by communities across the United States.

In a letter addressed to President Donald Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, residents of Queens, New York, are pleading for federal intervention to address a surge in crime and homelessness along Roosevelt Avenue. The issue has plagued the communities of Corona, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst for over a year, with local leaders and activists claiming that state and city authorities have been unable to provide adequate solutions. The letter, penned by former Democratic state Sen. Hiram Monserrate and Mauricio Zamora of the community group Neighbors of the America Triangle, highlights the deteriorating conditions in the Roosevelt Avenue corridor. The area has faced an influx of homeless migrants, leading to a range of criminal activities, including drug dealing, harassment, and theft, as well as lesser crimes such as public urination and littering. Monserrate emphasized the severity of the situation during a press conference. "Over the past seven months, our community has risen up to confront a wave of lawlessness that landed here about a year and a half ago," he stated. "This should not be happening anywhere in America, much less Queens County." (Related: Homeless crisis in America GETTING WORSE as government continues to spend hundreds of billions on foreign aid.) The barber shop, which closed down due to the presence of 50 homeless individuals in front of it, serves as a stark example of the community's struggle. "They couldn't compete with the vagrants because the barbers would have 10-20 vagrants using drugs and drinking right here," Monserrate explained. The community's efforts to reclaim public spaces, such as barricading a park, have been met with mixed success, as local authorities struggle to enforce laws due to sanctuary city policies. The issue of homelessness and crime in urban areas has a long history in the United States, with Queens experiencing its fair share of challenges. The current situation, however, has been exacerbated by a combination of economic factors, housing shortages and the complex interplay between local and federal policies. The rise of sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has added another layer of complexity to the problem. Monserrate and other activists have called on the Department of Homeland Security to visit their neighborhoods to assess the level of criminal activity and take appropriate action, including potential deportations. However, critics argue that a more holistic approach is needed, addressing the root causes of homelessness and crime rather than focusing solely on enforcement.

Calls for comprehensive solutions

While the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" approach to immigration has drawn national attention, Queens residents are seeking immediate action to address the specific issues affecting their communities. "We need, we want the federal government to come here and clean up our area," said Toni Diaz, a longtime resident of Corona. The situation in Queens highlights the broader debate over immigration policy, urban planning and community safety. As local leaders continue to advocate for federal intervention, they also face the challenge of balancing the needs of long-term residents with the complexities of a rapidly changing urban landscape. The letter to Tom Homan and the community's calls for action reflects a growing frustration with the current state of affairs. While the situation in Queens is unique, it mirrors similar struggles faced by communities across the United States, where the intersection of immigration, homelessness and crime continues to challenge local and federal authorities. As the debate over immigration policy and community safety continues, the residents of Queens are demanding that their voices be heard and that concrete steps be taken to address their concerns. Bookmark Migrants.news for more stories like this. Watch the video below that talks about renters becoming homeless in New York City. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Number of HOMELESS people in America to reach all-time high in 2024 due to surge in ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. Homeless encampments make Los Angeles look like a Third World country. Nearly 20 years of MASSIVE federal spending fails to curb rising homelessness in Washington state.

Sources include:

NYPost.com Brighteon.com

national security homelessness theft New York migrants law enforcement urban planning deportation zero tolerance drug dealing harassment immigration policy community safety chronic crime