Attack on asylum seeker in New York sparks outrage over conditions

An asylum seeker was hit in the face, pinned down and Tased by law enforcement officers in a New York homeless shelter, prompting criticism at conditions facing migrants, especially those recently arrived in the city after crossing the US-Mexico border, amid partisan disagreement over their placement.

Meiver Martinez, 21, an asylum seeker from Venezuela, was struck in the face early Wednesday by a city Department of Homeless Services (DHS) officer at the Brooklyn-based Atlantic Armory shelter.

The incident was caught on camera and the officer, who has not been named, was later suspended.

Martinez was also allegedly struck with batons after other officers became involved, according to Martinez, and eyewitnesses. He was taken by ambulance to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries, according to a hospital report.

The physical aggression towards Martinez occurred amid growing tension over thousands of asylum seekers being bussed from some Republican-held states, acting unilaterally, to Democratic-led cities, without any liaison.

After reaching and crossing the US-Mexico border this summer, Martinez had been put on a bus to New York by the Texas authorities, he recounted via an advocate briefing the Guardian, while awaiting the outcome of his attempt to claim asylum.

New York City was among the first to welcome such migrants, with mayor Eric Adams condemning opposition by the Texas Republican governor, Greg Abbott, to providing more options locally.

But the city has struggled to provide adequate, suitable resources. Many have been forced to rely on the already-overcrowded shelter system.

On Thursday, the Washington DC mayor, Muriel Bowser, announced a state of public emergency over migrants who are also being bussed to that city from Texas and Arizona. The week before, 75 such migrants arrived to Chicago.

On Wednesday afternoon, Martinez told the Guardian the incident began after he returned around 6am to the Brooklyn shelter from working a night shift cleaning a school.

While trying to catch up on some sleep, Martinez said an officer on site began jabbing him in the back, apparently prompting him to leave his shelter bed in advance of the 8am checkout.

Martinez speaks little English and also used his native Spanish to talk to advocates, who interpreted for reporters, with the Guardian independently checking the translation of these interviews.

Eye witnesses also described officers on the scene trying to force them out of the room and take away phones, they told the Guardian.

Later video footage shared with the Guardian shows Martinez on a gurney, handcuffed behind his back and semi-conscious, being taken to a waiting ambulance.

Martinez later showed the Guardian his injuries, with bruises visible on his abdomen and arm.

The officer who initially hit Martinez was suspended, the New York Times reported.

The agency also did not comment on accusations that officers attempted to block recording by other residents, and other aspects of the incident.

Several asylum seekers at the Brooklyn shelter told the Guardian on Wednesday, without disclosing their names, that they often wait up to several hours for a limited supply of shelter beds, and accused some staff of routinely yelling at them.

Finding work is difficult, they recounted, as many migrants lack the necessary paperwork to secure jobs.