US officers caught on camera punching Venezuelan migrant in NY shelter

US law enforcement officers have been caught on camera, hitting an asylum seeker in the face, pinning him down and tasing him in one of the most notorious homeless shelters in New York City.

The asylum seeker, from Venezuela, was in the Bedford-Atlantic Armory shelter when he got into a spat with the city Department of Homeless Services officer, who’s seen punching him.

Meiver Martinez, 21, said he was struck in the face and also with batons after other officers became involved in beating him up.

While trying to catch up on some sleep, Martinez said an officer on site began jabbing him in the back, apparently prompting him to leave his shelter bed in advance of the 8 am checkout.

“When he does that, I get up and tell him he can’t do that, that he’s an official and can’t be hitting us,” said Martinez. “If he wants me to get up, tell me to, but he can’t [do more than that].”

Martinez was taken by ambulance to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries, according to a hospital report.

He was seen in a later video as he was handcuffed behind his back and semi-conscious, being taken to a waiting ambulance.

The city Department of Social Services (DSS) said in a statement that the unidentified officer was suspended.

“Protecting the health and safety of our clients and staff is our top priority at all times and we do not tolerate any violence or misconduct against our clients,” said the statement.

“After a preliminary review of this incident, we are taking immediate action to suspend the DHSPD officer involved while we complete a full investigation,” it added.

The physical aggression toward Martinez prompted harsh criticism at the conditions facing migrants and asylum seekers, especially those who recently arrived in the city after crossing the US-Mexico border.

Tensions are growing over thousands of migrants being transferred from some Republican-held states to Democratic-led cities.

After reaching and crossing the US-Mexico border this summer, Martinez, along with thousands of other asylum seekers, had been put on a bus to New York by the Texas authorities while awaiting the outcome of his attempt to claim asylum

New York City has struggled to provide adequate, suitable resources. Many have been forced to rely on the already-overcrowded shelter system.

Several asylum seekers at the Brooklyn shelter told the Guardian that they often wait up to several hours for a limited supply of shelter beds.

MG