First migrants in NYC arrive at tent shelter with 500 beds, big-screen TVs, Xbox systems

Randall's Island shelter in NYC opens as temporary processing center for migrants arriving from border states

Tent shelters built on New York City's Randall's Island will open their doors to migrants on Wednesday.

The center is intended to be a temporary waystation for single men who were bussed into the city from southern border states. 

The tents include cots for up to 500 people, laundry facilities, a cafeteria, phones and entertainment centers.

More than 18,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the Big Apple since the spring, putting a major strain on the city's homeless shelter system.

The first migrants arrived at New York City's migrant shelter on Randall's Island on Wednesday. (Fox News Channel)

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Mayor Eric Adams declared a state of emergency earlier in the month, calling increased demand "not sustainable."

The city plans to bring the single men — many of whom are from Venezuela — to the facility when they arrive at the Port Authority bus terminal in Manhattan and house them for a period of time, during which they will assess the next steps. 

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Families with children are being housed in hotels. 

Randall's Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center, a complex of giant tents, is New York City's latest temporary shelter for an influx of international migrants being bussed into the city by southern border states. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

The Randall's Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center in New York City is seen on Tuesday. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Beds are seen in the dormitory during a tour of the Randall's Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center in New York City on Tuesday. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

A bed is seen in the dormitory during a tour of the Randall's Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center in New York City on Tuesday. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

The city said it would be able to double the sleeping capacity of the tents, if necessary.

Initial plans to put tents in the Bronx's Orchard Beach were scrapped due to concerns about flooding and criticism over the remote location. 

According to FOX 5, it cost $325,000 to move the shelters and another $325,000 to set them up again.

Officials said the Randall’s Island location was safe from flooding and that the balmy temperature tents can withstand winds up to 90 mph.

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An Xbox entertainment system is seen inside a migrant shelter tent in New York City on Tuesday. (WNYW Fox 5 New York)

The cafeteria is seen during a tour of the Randall's Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center in New York City on Tuesday. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

An entertainment area, shown during a press tour on Tuesday, is part of New York City's latest temporary shelter on Randall's Island for migrants being bused into the city by southern border states. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

A foosball table is seen in the recreation room during a tour of the Randall's Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center on Oct. 18, 2022, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Telephones are seen in the recreation room during a tour of the Randall's Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center on Oct. 18, 2022, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Washer and dryers are seen during a tour of the Randall's Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center on Oct. 18, 2022, in New York City.  (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

However, advocates remain concerned about the location and whether migrants will get adequate support.

The station said South American fare would be provided, with three meals a day, and that snacks, coffee and tea will be available 24/7.

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There will also reportedly be 24/7 security and a 10 p.m. ET curfew, with buses running at least every hour from the location.

FOX 5 said every migrant will be tested for COVID-19.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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