Buffalo schools slam NYC for bussing asylum seekers upstate and 'not paying a penny' of $800,000 costs for 76 migrant students

The head of an upstate school has hit out New York City for bussing dozens of asylum seeker students there last year and not coming good on promises to cover education costs that have hit $800,000.

Superintendent Joseph D'Angelo of the Maryvale School District in the suburbs of Buffalo lashed out at Mayor Eric Adams' city for reimbursing 'not a penny' of the money it's used to teach 76 young migrants.

State officials say the school has been reimbursed through a separate budget. Still, D'Angelo insists that his district has been shortchanged, hurting local taxpayers and forcing him to hold back on spending.

The case spotlights tensions between such cities as New York that are overwhelmed by record migrant flows into the US, and seek to move newcomers on to other locations to free up much-needed bed spaces.

 Maryvale School District in the suburbs of Buffalo absorbed 76 asylum seeker late last year 

New York City was overwhelmed by asylum seekers and bussed families up to Erie County late last summer 

'We've yet to see a penny from New York City,' D'Angelo told WGRZ.

'New York City promised to reimburse us for costs related to the asylum seekers, which went from 100 percent down to 50 percent. And we're fighting for 100 percent.'

Mayor Adams' office did not answer DailyMail.com's request for comment.

New York City arranged to bus migrant families up to Erie County late last summer.

Back then, Adams was warning of an influx of 110,000 asylum seekers from the southern border that could 'destroy' the city.

The newcomer students enrolled in Maryvale School District for the start of the school year in September.

D'Angelo says they have been a welcome addition to the body of some 2,200 students.

The problem is the money, he added.

The initial estimated education cost of $400,000 has doubled, including transport and personnel costs, said D'Angelo.

Superintendent Joseph D'Angelo wants New York City to pay him the promised $800,000

Mayor Eric Adams warned at the time that an influx of migrants would 'destroy' New York City 

State Assemblywoman Monica Wallace says Maryvale was made whole by a $1.7 budget top-up

The superintendent says he can balance the budget this year, but it means cutting back on spending and keeping taxes high.

State Assemblywoman Monica Wallace says Maryvale has been covered by a $1.7 million budget boost.

But D'Angelo says the district is still short because Wallace's money is in a long-term operating budget.

The row over Buffalo students underscores how America has battled record numbers of asylum seekers crossing the US-Mexico border since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.

Many head to New York, Chicago, Washington DC and other major cities to join family members or find work.

Immigration has emerged as a top voter concern, especially among Republicans ahead of the November 5 election pitting Biden, a Democrat, against his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.

Trump says Biden's less restrictive policies have led to a rise in illegal immigration.

The White House in recent months has considered issuing executive orders to stop migrants at the southern frontier if crossings hit a threshold, sparking criticism from some Democrats and campaigners.