New York, NY—Today, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul issued a letter to President Biden, urging him to direct additional federal resources to the State of New York as it contends with the continued busing of asylum seekers to New York City. Earlier this week, she issued an Executive Order that is providing the State with greater flexibility to procure the resources necessary for municipalities to support asylum seekers.
Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:
“We’re happy to see Governor Hochul join advocates like us in calling on the federal government to provide support to localities like ours. It’s time New York evolves its response from an emergency footing to a permanent one, and starts investing in an infrastructure – which includes coordination with federal, state and local municipal governments, as well as the community-based organizations who are best positioned to welcome and support new arrivals.
“New York must recognize that many new arrivals want to make their homes here in New York, so our elected leaders must develop a strategy that includes moving people from shelters or temporary housing to more permanent residences, as well as increasing funding to meet legal and social services needs of vulnerable people whether they are in New York City or in the Hudson Valley or elsewhere in the state. This will ensure that asylum seekers, and all New Yorkers, are able to build their lives here.
“The people arriving here from the Southern border are mothers, fathers, and children — vulnerable people who have traveled thousands of miles to flee violence and persecution in their home country, and then find themselves dehumanized and treated like political pawns in America. It’s abhorrent and immoral and does little to uphold Lady Liberty’s call in New York’s harbor as a beacon for safety and freedom. We can and must do better.”