A second migrant commits suicide in a New York shelter in the middle of the border crisis

By Julianne McShane -

A second migrant committed suicide at a New York shelter last week, according to authorities and NBC New York.

The person died Wednesday at a Queens shelter, according to NBC New York, which reported that he was a 26-year-old man, possibly from Venezuela, who was in the US with his son and the boy's mother.

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A spokesman for the city's Department of Social Services called the suicide an "absolutely heartbreaking tragedy" in a statement and said authorities are working to support the family.

The spokesman said state law prevents officials from revealing any specific details about the case.

“These families arrive in New York City after a harrowing, months-long journey and, in some cases, are still reeling from the trauma they experienced along the way,” the spokesperson stated.

“We recognize the very unique challenges asylum seekers face and remain committed to continuing to build on our ongoing efforts and interagency coordination to connect these families and individuals to mental health supports as we help them stabilize their lives in a new country," he added.

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An asylum seeker committed suicide in a New York shelter in September.

The shelters are facing an overcrowding crisis, having housed nearly 65,000 people as of Sunday, according to city data.

It was not clear how many of them are asylum seekers specifically.

The spokesman for the Department of Social Services said the shelters offer bilingual support and social services and can provide connections to more specific mental health resources, adding that the city has increased the presence of bilingual support staff in shelters following the influx. of immigrants.

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An estimated 6 million Venezuelans have fled their country amid food insecurity and political instability, and the number of those crossing the US border has quadrupled in the past year, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Venezuelans also make up the majority of immigrants that Republican governors have relocated to Democratic-run cities. 

A bus carrying migrants who crossed the border from Mexico to Texas arrives at the Port Authority bus station in Manhattan on August 25, 2022 in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Thousands of migrants have arrived in New York City by bus from out of state since the spring.

Several migrants have stated that they have had difficulties finding work and rebuilding their lives after their arrival.

In October, the influx of migrants prompted the mayor, Eric Adams, to declare a state of emergency, demanding "all relevant city agencies to coordinate their efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis of asylum seekers."

On Monday, at least two buses of migrants from the US-Mexico border arrived at the Port Authority bus terminal, NBC New York reported.

Adams said Sunday that the city could receive up to 1,000 migrants a week if Title 42 is lifted, according to the station.

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The Trump Administration rolled out the federal rule, which prevents asylum seekers from entering the country during the public health emergency of the coronavirus pandemic.

Humanitarian and immigration groups argue that the previous administration used the rule as a pretext to deny aid to asylum seekers, and have criticized the Biden Administration for keeping it in place.

The rule had been set to be lifted on Wednesday, but the Supreme Court put a temporary stay on the ruling on Monday, leaving it in limbo.

Adams declared Monday that the influx of immigrants will affect "every service we provide," including education and public safety.

In his statements he made reference to the recent suicide.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to contact the Suicide and Crisis Helpline.

You can also call the network, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit