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 the 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 Haiti-born representative for the 40th Council District in Brooklyn, noted that “New York City is a city built by immigrants, including asylum seekers.
Mercedes Narcisse, another Haiti-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.”
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.
The city estimates that about 6,000 asylum-seekers, including Caribbean nationals, have gone through the intake process in the last three months.
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