Amish Communities Consider Mass Exodus from New York Amid Regulatory Pressures
Reports are emerging of a potential mass exodus of Amish communities from New York State, with many families considering relocating to Pennsylvania and Ohio as early as this spring. The move comes as a response to what some Amish perceive as religious persecution from state authorities[1].
The primary catalysts for this potential migration are stricter building codes and vaccination requirements. Many Amish have faced fines for not obtaining state-mandated building permits or installing smoke detectors, practices that conflict with their religious beliefs[1].
In 2009, eleven Amish families in Watertown filed a lawsuit claiming religious discrimination regarding building codes. More recently, the state’s removal of religious exemptions for vaccinations has further strained relations[1].
A 2019 lawsuit filed by an Amish family in Rochester challenged the state’s vaccination law, arguing that it infringed on their religious freedoms. However, the New York Supreme Court rejected the claim, with Justice Daniel Doyle stating that religious beliefs cannot be grounds for refusing medical care for children[1].
Adding to these concerns is a proposal by the New York State Education Department requiring nonpublic schools to prove they offer education equivalent to public schools. This move could potentially impact Amish-run schools[1].
The situation marks a significant shift from 2011 when Amish families were reportedly moving to New York in large numbers from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Now, the tide appears to be turning[1].
As of 2024, New York is home to over 23,000 Amish residents across 58 settlements, making it the state with the fifth-largest Amish population[9]. The potential exodus could have significant implications for these communities and the areas they inhabit.
While the full extent of this migration remains to be seen, it’s clear that many Amish families are grappling with the challenge of maintaining their traditional way of life in the face of modern regulations.
Citations:
[1] https://981thehawk.com/how-amish-live/
[2] https://www.alabamaag.gov/attorney-general-marshall-leads-brief-protecting-amish-schools-from-new-yorks-vaccine-mandates/
[3] https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/feature-articles/persecution-division-and-opportunity-origins-old
[4] https://www.bedlamfarm.com/2021/06/14/the-amish-and-their-long-struggle-with-the-modern-world/
[5] https://wrrv.com/are-the-amish-planning-a-mass-exodus-from-new-york/
[6] https://www.becketlaw.org/case/yoder-v-morristown/
[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish
[8] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Amish
[9] https://amishamerica.com/new-york-amish/
[10] http://thedeliberateagrarian.blogspot.com/2007/12/fuscos-law-amish-upstate-ny-in-2050.html
[11] https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Amish-enclave-moves-to-Washington-County-16411219.php