Over 70 Migrants Found Cramped in New York City Basement Below Furniture Store

Dozens of illegal migrants from western Africa have been found living in cramped conditions inside a furniture store in New York City. The migrants were discovered in the basement and first floor of a furniture store in Richmond Hills, Queens. Reports indicate that the owner charged them $300 to live in the confined spaces where they had to sleep in shifts.

Overcrowding and Violations

About 74 migrants had been holed up inside the 2-story furniture store, and its owner, Ebou Sarr, acknowledged charging the migrants to live there. City officials visited the premises and ordered all the men to leave. Furthermore, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) issued a full vacate order for the first floor and the cellar due to severe overcrowding. The store, called Sarr’s Wholesale Furniture, is located at 132-02 Liberty Ave.

The other violation was for occupying a building contrary to city records, with the spaces having no ventilation, no natural light and not enough space for the people sleeping there.

Cramped Living Conditions

Cell phone video from inside the building shows the African men in a bright white room full of beds with a low ceiling. The beds are compacted close together with limited walking room. A neighbor reported calling 311 for weeks about the number of people living at the store and the number of e-bikes she said she saw in the parked backyard.

Owner's Response

Ebou Sarr, the owner of the store, defended the living conditions, stating that there was enough space for the migrants to live and that he was providing them with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sarr also mentioned that most of the migrants are from Senegal.

Official Response

New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that the incident shows that the system "did its job." He further added that it was first reported to the FDNY and then DOB came in and made sure that those who were there were removed and given the services that are available.