The appalling migration and humanitarian crisis that continues to simmer in the Big Apple, put New York Democratic elected leaders on Tuesday to speak this time in a very loud and defiant tone to the Joe Biden Administration. The request is exactly the same as it was 14 months ago, when hundreds of people seeking asylum began to be sent by bus from Texas: They need more funds and a national action to attend to a human wave that does not stop.
The trend observed this summer is that more people than more countries and other continents keep arriving in droves. Almost 58,000 are in the full care of the City. More than 100,000 have arrived in the city since the spring of 2022.
This time the call, which has been repeated week after week, as this crisis continues to escalate, was led by the Brooklyn Borough PresidentAntonio Reynoso, who, supported by council members, assembly members, community leaders, and mayor Eric Adams himself, directly demanded the federal government to “face” in the face of a national crisis, which in his wordsNew York City has faced it alone.
“President Biden has completely ignored us. Let’s be clear, they have done nothing to address this situation. We want to help immigrants. But we cannot offer all the financial assistance. Nor can we resolve the legal challenges that having an employment permit implies,” Reynoso said.
The Brooklyn borough leader, who calls himself from the most progressive Democratic wing, ensures that even the most conservative Democrats and even “fellow” Republicans are “on the same page.”
state senator Jabari Brisport, Assemblymen Robert Carroll and Lester Changand Brooklyn Councilwoman Alexa Avilés joined this petition.
three actions
In summary, the group of elected leaders and community activists demand three fundamental actions from the White House: More funds to attend shelters and provide legal aid, allocation and extension of new benefits such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for communities recently arrived from African countries, Venezuela and Guatemala. Also expediting work permits.
“We must recognize two things at this time. First, Washington has ignored us. And second, that this ever-growing humanitarian crisis was caused by the Republican Party and its governors when moving people in buses, without any coordination”, remarked the Ombudsman, Jumaane Williams.
After a week of showing the exact projections of how this emergency is bleeding the municipal coffers, the mayor recalled that if there is no financial support from the White House, in three years they will have consumed $12 billion in providing shelter, food, and medical services to newcomers.
“!This is unacceptable! It’s not fair to New Yorkers. This will mean cuts in essential services. It is not fair for the City that has done more to address this crisis,” said the municipal president, from the steps of the headquarters of the Brooklyn Borough President.
It was learned that last week an official from the Biden Administration held a meeting with Mayor Adams. But it was not specified what were the real effects of that encounter.
Republicans: Close the border!
As Democratic leaders demand more funding to direct it to assistance programs for those They continue to arrive at a rate of 2,500 people per weekthe Republican minority in the Municipal Council and in the State Assembly, continues to interpret and make it clear that the only way to resolve this crisis is by closing the border.
In this direction, Mike TannousisAssemblyman from Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn argues that the “federal government has failed us by failing to protect our border. And the local government has failed us by continuing to open migrant shelters in residential communities, without supervision”, referring to the intention to open a new emergency shelter in Island Shore in the vicinity of a nursing home.
Other areas of the Big Apple, such as a wing of the McCarren Park at Sunset Park in Brooklyn, has been used to set up emergency shelters for single men only. These types of actions have been openly protested by residents, who fear they are bringing potentially dangerous people into their neighborhoods.
“I am Hispanic. I am an immigrant. And it would be unfair to think that all people who cross the border are criminals. Because New York has been built with thousands of undocumented immigrants. But in the past, no one came living in shelters in parks and public areas, which are supposed to be spaces for families. It’s a big mistake.” commented Brooklyn resident Claudia Morillo, while listening to the address of the Democratic leaders.
For his part, Joe Borelli, the Republican leader of the Council, argued that “the city It is not the refugee camp of the world”. While he urged to prevent New York taxpayers from “paying for them” in perpetuity.
“The Mayor’s Office is not a charity. It is a municipal corporation with a balanced budget required for the quality of life of New Yorkers.“, published on the social network X (formerly twitter).
The data:
- $383 per night each immigrant in the shelter system costs municipal coffers, the Municipal Budget Office forecasts that this implies a cost of almost $3.6 billion in the current fiscal year.
