May 19, 2023
Allegany County Declares State of Emergency in Response to Migrant Crisis
Allegany County Sheriff Scott Cicirello:
The current headlines across New York State have created a lot of uncertainty in Allegany County,
prompting speculation as to the potential impact on our communities. New York City has expressed
that they will be sending a large volume of migrants to upstate NY, possibly affecting Allegany County.
Regardless of the politics of this situation, my job is to ensure the public safety of the residents of
Allegany County.
I am working closely with the Allegany County Legislature, County Administrator and Local and State
Law Enforcement to monitor the situation.
I fully support the actions taken by Chairman Harris, the Board of Legislators and County Administrator
Knapp to directly address this crisis.
We recognize there are strong opinions on this issue. We urge residents to remain peaceful and
respectful. If you wish to voice your opinion on this issue, please reach out to your federal
representative. If you have a specific public safety concern, contact your local law enforcement. We will
continue to advocate for resolution to this crisis and keep our residents informed.
Allegany County Legislative Board Chairman W. Brooke Harris:
I’m sympathetic to the challenges facing asylum seekers, and wish for nothing more than their
successful integration into our country. Unfortunately, Allegany County simply does not have the
resources available to properly provide for the needs of even a small influx of migrants. In addition to
our overburdened and underfunded County departments, our contracted agencies and local not-for-
profit providers are already stretched beyond their capabilities. Any sudden additional demands could
compromise a very fragile service delivery system.