New York—Yesterday, the Schenectady County Legislature passed a resolution directing their County Manager to issue a state of emergency and emergency order that temporarily prohibits New York City from relocating asylum seekers to Schenectady County. Starting on July 18, three buses carrying around 150 asylum seekers arrived at the Super8 Motel in Rotterdam.
Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:
“New York State has welcomed immigrants for centuries. A hundred years ago, Polish and Irish immigrants came to Schenectady to work at General Electric and the American Locomotive Company, turning Schenectady into ‘the city that lights and hauls the world.’ Today, the immigrants and asylum seekers who have made their way to Schenectady County are no different than those who came before them to seek opportunity and safety. It is vital that our local governments and people welcome these asylum seekers – with the right care and support, they too may come to define the next chapter of our local economy and culture. We denounce the exclusionary actions taken by the Schenectady County Legislature, and implore them to remember our history and reverse course by offering hospitality and a welcoming embrace to all those hoping to call Schenectady County home.”