New York Immigration Coalition Demands More Support for Asylum Seekers
NEW YORK, New York – A coalition of immigration advocates, allies and elected officials are demanding that federal, state and city governments in the United States step up efforts to provide Caribbean and other asylum seekers being bused to New York City from Texas with the necessary services and support to ensure they are able to thrive there.
On Friday, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), an umbrella organization of over 200 immigration advocacy groups, spearheaded a rally on the steps of City Hall in lower Manhattan, making their demands known.
At the rally, NYIC launched the “Welcoming New York Campaign”, designed to “keep pressure on every level of government to ensure a quicker and more efficient response to the pressing needs of new arrivals.”
“It has been nearly a month since New York City called attention to the issue of Texas Governor (Greg) Abbott’s busing of asylum seekers to New York. While we have heard some righteous condemnation of Governor Abbott’s actions from our elected leaders, we have seen little in the way of a coordinated Federal, State, and City government response to meet the needs of new arrivals,” said Murad Awawdeh, NYIC’s executive director.
“Instead, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) coordinated volunteers, mutual aid groups and organizations like ours to spring into action to fill the gaps with few resources,” he added. “Now is the time for every level of government to develop a coordinated strategy that includes support for community groups like our member organizations that have both the trust and experience to help immigrants to successfully integrate and thrive in New York,” he added.
“In this urgent moment, Mayor (Eric) Adams, Governor (Kathy) Hochul and President (Joe) Biden must act together to meet emergency needs and to elevate America’s commitment to our humanitarian and moral obligations through efficient and coordinated action,” Awawdeh continued. “We cannot further endanger the lives of vulnerable people who continue to be used like pawns in a game that they had no part in creating.”
New York City Council Member Rita Joseph, the Haitian-born representative for the 40th Council District in Brooklyn, noted that “New York City is a city built by immigrants, including asylum seekers.
“As we deal with the influx of migrants bussed in by the xenophobic Governor of Texas, let us remember the wise words on the Statue of Liberty: ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,’” she said.
“Our city will welcome asylum seekers with open arms, not just because it’s the law, but because it’s the right thing to do,” added Joseph, who taught public school for 22 years in New York City before elected to New York City Council last November.
Mercedes Narcisse, another Haitian-born New York City Council Member, who represents the 46th Council District in Brooklyn, said she was “delighted to join in strong support of the New York immigration Coalition’s Welcoming New York Campaign.
“Today, we gather to protect the torch held high by Lady Liberty in New York harbor and are determined to maintain New York City, a place built upon the dreams and hard work of refugees and immigrants from across the globe, as a protector and safe haven for those yearning to breathe free,” said Narcisse, a registered nurse by training.
Nilbia Coyote, executive director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), said asylum seekers “deserve dignity, respect, opportunity and, above all, solidarity from our city and our immigrant communities.”
“For the last couple of months, new arrivals have skyrocketed, and organizations such as ours, located in immigrant enclaves, continue to work with few resources to provide referrals to health and mental health services, legal services, and essentials such as food and clothing with compassion and care,” she said.
“But they need an organization that will meet their long term needs for economic stability and job training,” Coyote added. “This is a challenge NICE is prepared to take on. We are scaling up our services to meet the distressing needs of our new community members.
“We demand that the city, the state and federal governments do their job as well,” She continued. “Come together, welcome all those seeking refuge and a better life, and support organizations and institutions urgently in need of resources to welcome all new immigrants and asylum seekers.”
On the federal level, the Welcoming New York Campaign advocates that the White House incorporate asylum seekers into the refugee support system, coordinate arrivals with local and state governments, and develop a structure with local and state governments to assess needs, abilities and opportunities.
The campaign advocates that the US Department of Homeland Security provide funding for shelter and transportation, extend parole for asylum seekers, facilitate expedited work permits, and push Texas to ensure asylum seekers give informed consent before entering a bus and are provided with adequate food and medical care.
On the state level, the Welcoming New York Campaign urges New York State Governor Hochul and the Legislature provide additional funding for emergency legal support, create Welcome Centers across the state, fund temporary shelters, implement emergency contract reforms, and create a state program of direct support, including housing vouchers, permanent housing, job placement support and funding for transportation outside of New York.
On the City level, the Welcoming New York Campaign thanks Mayor Adams for launching a Welcome Center/Navigation Hub.
But the campaign said while this is “an important first step, the city must still do more including increasing funding for support work done by community-based organizations, increasing funding for emergency immigration legal services, implementing contract reforms, providing safe housing to all asylum seekers and expanding eligibility of homelessness support programs.”
Last week, Adams announced a comprehensive plan to support Caribbean and other families seeking asylum.
The mayor said the plan, dubbed “Open Arms”, ensures children are provided a full range of services to start their New York City public education on the first day of school next month.
“This multi-agency plan highlights wraparound services to ensure asylum-seeking families and their children will have access to critical academic, social-emotional, and language-based supports needed to be successful in New York City public schools,” Adams said. “Our city has been, and will always be, a city of immigrants that welcomes newcomers with open arms.
“‘Project Open Arms’ ensures we are well-prepared to assist asylum-seekers as the school year begins and that we are offering wraparound services to students and families,” he added. “With strong collaboration with our partners, both in and out of government, this plan highlights how we can lead with compassion and ‘Get Stuff Done’ for those who need it most.”
The city estimates that about 6,000 asylum-seekers, including Caribbean nationals, have gone through the intake process in the last three months.
“Families seeking asylum need our full support in accessing needed resources to thrive in our schools,” said New York City Councilmember Farah Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian parents.
“I applaud the mayor’s office in keeping me and my colleagues engaged in ensuring all students enrolling into public schools this year will be supported by the city, and the agencies and organizations who are tirelessly providing these needed services to incoming families,” added the representative for the 45th Council District in Brooklyn.
