After two 7 On Your Side Investigations into squatting went viral, there has been a growing push from city and state lawmakers to change the law. In New York, squatters have rights after 30 days. It's written in the law that squatters have to be taken to court, making it difficult for police to have the authority to remove them. Since Eyewitness News first aired the story of Adele Andalaroo last week, the charge of unlawful eviction against her has been dropped. Our cameras were rolling when she was arrested for changing the locks on her front door to prevent squatters from getting inside. One of the men living inside the home she inherited claimed to have a lease but didn't show proof. "When they put those handcuffs on her, it was like someone punched me in the stomach," said Ann Korchak with the group Small Property Owners of New York. "This is an injustice," she said. "The only thing they can do is hire an attorney and start the process," said Korchak. That's what the Landa family had to do. They bought a $2 million dollar home in Douglaston, Queens in October and haven't been able to move in. The caretaker of the former homeowner refuses to leave. An attorney for the former caretaker said he didn't want to comment on the case. More than six months later, they're still in court. "So our hands are tied," said Susana Landa. "Our hands are tied with the law." Eyewitness News has received dozens of messages from homeowners who say they're in a similar situation. One viewer said they've had a squatter since 2019, another said it took them 25 months to get squatters out of their home. "I mean millions and millions of people have looked at your video and look at this and say how can this be happening, it's upside down," said Korchak. Our 7 On Your Side Investigation sparked a New York City Councilmember to hold a rally, calling for change to local and state laws. "You think we're at a bad place now, it can and will get worse," said NYC Councilwoman Vickie Paladino at a rally in Bayside, Queens this week. "All it takes is for an illegal squatter to say I have been here for 30 days and you know what, he has no proof." State law is set up in a way where it's difficult for police to intervene. Homeowners have to take squatters to court, which can take years for a resolution. Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz filed a bill that would change that. It has gained support since our investigation first aired. "It will make it so that someone who's trespassing, someone who is simply on the property as a squatter, will not be listed as a tenant with the law," said Blumencranz. "They'd be simply a trespasser and law enforcement can do their job and remove a trespasser but they can't remove a tenant." It's not just a problem in New York but nationwide. Lawmakers in Florida passed a similar new law this month. "I wouldn't have known about it if I wouldn't have seen articles like yours and news releases like yours," said Senator Keith Perry. "This shouldn't be a civil matter, these are criminal matters and we're taking that into account." In New York, lawmakers tried to change the law a decade ago and failed. #nyc #squatting #news