WNY migrant care transitions from DocGo to Jewish Family Services, raises questions

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) – Dozens of migrants, including children, were left standing out in the December cold in Amherst while a dispute was worked out among Jewish Family Services and a local motel.

WIVB News 4 was first called with reports of a group of migrants standing outside of the Motel 6 on Maple Road in Amherst just after noon Wednesday. A News 4 photojournalist arrived on scene at 1 p.m. and saw those migrants still standing outside in the snow and rain.

News 4 reached out to Jewish Family Services, which is partnering with New York City to help hundreds of asylum seekers in Amherst and Cheektowaga with housing.

JFS initially said keeping the families in the cold was due to an issue with a private security firm that was on site at the hotel this morning that was not affiliated with JFS or its agreement with New York City. The organization later said the migrant families were waiting outside due to the rooms not being ready to be occupied yet, and they were eventually let inside of the hotel.

JFS also cited in their statement that DocGo "ended their contract earlier than expected this morning." A spokesperson from DocGo says that is not the case and told News 4 that JFS was made aware it was going to be ending its services at the original hotel the migrants were being housed at weeks ago.

DocGo also provided WIVB News 4 with a letter it says was sent from JFS to local migrants. It reads in part, "On December 17th/18th, DocGo NYC will be ending its services at this hotel. JFS case managers will be meeting with you prior to that date to assess your eligibility for other services in Western New York."

After hours of back and forth, News 4 reached out to JFS again. They said they have in fact been in regular communications and coordinating with DocGo staff on the ground in recent weeks.

But, JFS also said people were released from the initial hotel two hours ahead of schedule, causing the migrants to have to wait outside.

DocGo debunked that statement as well. DocGo says they had to discharge all guests by 11am, but they had an indoor space for them to wait. DocGo says JFS chose to pick them up early.

The group said it will continue to work with families and provide case management services over the next several months as they integrate into the community.

JFS said all asylum seekers have now been moved out of Cheektowaga hotels. 

“While 200 individuals and families have already been placed into permanent housing, we have had to temporarily move approximately 45 families into another hotel while we work to resettle them over the coming weeks," JFS said in a statement. “In addition, approximately 227 people also remain in an additional Amherst hotel as our case managers work to secure permanent housing. JFS remains committed to continuing to support families residing in the two Amherst hotels by providing transitional services, including food vouchers and case management.

“After all resettlement has been completed, which is anticipated sometime within in the first quarter of 2025, JFS will continue to work with the families and provide case management services over the next several months as they assimilate into our community," the statement continued. "We are grateful to so many in the community for the ongoing support through donations and volunteer efforts as we work to resettle families so they can embark on a new year with a fresh start.”

State Sen. Sean Ryan has been outspoken on the migrant issue in Western New York since 2023. In fact, he and his office helped to spearhead the agreement with New York City Mayor Eric Adams' administration to have a non-profit care for and house migrants who remain in Western New York.  Ryan said in March the intention is to get people out of hotels and motels and into long term housing. 

Ryan initially indicated through a spokesman he would offer a statement on what happened Wednesday at the Motel 6. He later declined to comment, citing conflicting information.