National Guard meets asylum seekers at Holiday Inn in Queens
NEW YORK -- Tourists were turned away in Queens on Sunday to make way for another emergency shelter for asylum seekers.
It comes as Mayor Eric Adams says the federal government isn't doing enough to help.
Members of the National Guard greeted asylum seekers at the Holiday Inn Long Island City/LaGuardia West.
A note at the entrance read, in part, that "Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances" any reservation from May 16 on has been cancelled without penalty.
Henry Iseah says his family of five immigrated from Venezuela last week for a better life.
"There is food, medical security, and tomorrow the kids are going to school," Iseah said.
The mayor's office says it is one of more than 150 emergency sites, including nine large-scale humanitarian relief centers, serving nearly 70,000 asylum seekers.
As hundreds arrive daily, the city is scrambling to find space.
Adams said on CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday the entire state should be helping.
"It's unfortunate that there has ... there have been some lawmakers and counties that are not carrying on their role of ensuring that this is a decompression strategy throughout the state," Adams said.
READ MORE: More asylum seekers arrive in New York City after opening of official arrival center in Manhattan
In fact, on Sunday in Suffolk County, things got heated at a press conference announcing legal action would be taken if the city sends asylum seekers to hotels there.
"This is not an anti immigration stance," Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey said to interruptions. "Thousands of migrants and asylum seekers are being sent to municipalities each and every day. Be very clear, the residents of Suffolk County should not have to shoulder the burden."
Adams said the city has spent over $1 billion and is projected to spend close to $4.3 billion, yet the federal government has only provided $30 million.
"Thirty million dollars comes nowhere near what the city is paying for a national problem," Adams said.
READ MORE: More asylum seekers pull into Port Authority, as NYC considers all shelter options
Adams said it would be more helpful if the federal government directed where migrants are moved throughout the United States. He said he has traveled to Washington several times.
"I had a conversation with FEMA about a financial allocation and proper resources to the city and communications with the White House on several occasions," Adams said, "and it's just, again, unfair to the city of New York and all about cities to carry the burden of a national problem."
CBS2 reached out to the White House for comment Sunday, but did not hear back by our broadcast deadline.
