Attack on asylum seeker in New York sparks outrage over conditions

Incident occurred amid growing tension as Republican states bus thousands of asylum seekers to Democratic cities

An asylum seeker was hit in the face, pinned down and Tased by law enforcement officers in a New York homeless shelter, prompting criticism at conditions facing migrants, especially those recently arrived in the city after crossing the US-Mexico border, amid partisan disagreement over their placement.

Meiver Martinez, 21, an asylum seeker from Venezuela, was struck in the face early Wednesday by a city Department of Homeless Services (DHS) officer at the Brooklyn-based Atlantic Armory shelter.