Federal court tosses NY Civil Liberties Union lawsuit against Orange County

On Friday, July 19, a federal court dismissed a lawsuit challenging Orange County Executive Neuhaus’ executive order prohibiting hotels from becoming shelters for New York City.

“My fundamental role as county executive is to protect our residents,” Neuhaus said. “This includes stopping New York City from establishing shelters in Orange County.”

In the spring of last year, Neuhaus issued executive orders in response to New York City’s busing plan to provide “temporary housing options for asylum seekers” in Orange County and other upstate communities. The executive orders essentially prohibited New York City from using Orange County hotels as temporary housing shelters.

These executive orders were challenged last year by the New York Civil Liberties Union, which alleged that the orders were discriminatory. The federal court has now dismissed that lawsuit, finding that the revised language in the executive orders was not discriminatory.

“The Court’s dismissal of this lawsuit is an important decision and effectively allows the county to continue to prevent New York City from shifting its temporary housing problems onto Orange County,” said Richard Golden, attorney for the county.

The executive orders remain in effect today and will continue going forward.

In a previous related lawsuit brought by Neuhaus against New York City, he obtained a preliminary injunction preventing New York City from establishing shelters in Orange County. That injunction also remains in effect.