For Immediate Release: August 17, 2022
Contact:
Grace Peacore
grace.peacore@berlinrosen.com
NEW YORK — As Texas Governor Abbott continues his political stunt busing immigrants from the Texas border to New York City, Hispanic Federation has created an initial $100,000 fund for community-based organizations that are working on the frontlines and supporting these migrants. This fund will help community-based organizations to continue providing shelter, food, clothing, medical care, transportation and more to migrants arriving in our city and state.
“The individuals arriving at our borders are abiding by U.S. and International laws and have every right to make their claim for asylum. Many are escaping unimaginable horrors, including civil strife, environmental disasters, economic and physical violence, and so much more. They deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and compassion when they arrive in our country. Sadly, we have shameless politicians like Governor Abbott that choose to exploit the most vulnerable amongst us – children, pregnant mothers, and families fleeing persecution – to fearmonger and try to score cheap political points. We know that communities throughout Texas reject this cynical brand of politics. Here in New York, we stand ready to do what we have always done, which is to bring communities and institutions together to welcome and help those most in need,” said Frankie Miranda, President of the Hispanic Federation.
Hispanic Federation also supports direct legal representation to the most vulnerable immigrants across the country, including New York through its Caminos de Esperanza Initiative. With a ballooning backlog of immigration cases, Caminos de Esperanza provides support to twelve non-profit immigration organizations to meet the escalating demand for legal aid.
Immigrants rely on legal counsel to navigate their immigration cases and apply for existing pathways for relief, however immigrant legal representation is chronically underfunded and under-resourced. With an emphasis on individuals in removal proceedings as well as affirmative and defensive asylum and SIJ (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status), Caminos de Esperanza provides immigration support to over 1,500 individuals across the country. For additional information about the participating organizations, click here.
"It is heartbreaking to see how vulnerable immigrants who come to this country seeking refuge are being exploited for political gain. After risking their lives to reach safety, these immigrants are put on buses to destinations to which they don’t want to go, and often without food, water or care during the multi-day trip. As we welcome these newcomers into our communities, it is critical that they receive the urgent legal and social resources they need as they begin to make their homes in safety in the United States," said Elise de Castillo, Esq. the Executive Director at the Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN).
“Texas Governor Abbott’s anti-immigrant political stunt is playing with the lives of asylum seekers. It is reprehensible and irresponsible for the Texas governor to callously use immigrants as political pawns in the hopes of aiding his re-election. While we condemn Governor Abbott’s actions that dehumanize migrants and asylum seekers, it is imperative for New York City to step to the moment and welcome those seeking refuge. We strongly support the City’s call for FEMA assistance, but, in the meantime, the Adams administration must use every tool and resource at its disposal to provide housing, food, legal, and other resources migrants need to survive and have a fair opportunity to seek asylum,” said Jose Lopez, Co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York.
“This is an all hands on deck moment for NYC that must include federal funding. AID FOR AIDS' and AID FOR LIFE's response to the current crisis leverages special expertise serving South American immigrants, providing clothing, access to health care, including mental health, and linkage to legal, housing and educational services. The needs are great and financial support is crucial," said Jesús Aguais, Executive Director, AID FOR AIDS.
“Migrants are human beings deserving of dignity, respect, and opportunity. Once again, we are facing a political situation in which asylum seekers from Latin America are being used as political pawns, stripping them of their rights and the justice they deserve. It is imperative that we as a city come together and welcome all those seeking refuge and a better life. NICE is proud to continue standing alongside the asylum seekers and the new immigrants we serve every day and provide the resources they need for long-term success. We will continue fighting for change for immigrants and asylum seekers here and everywhere,” said Nilbia Coyote, Executive Director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE).
“For the past two years, Mercy Center has been receiving a constant flow of asylum seekers to our ESOL program, all of whom are looking for a safe place where they can feel cared for while they await decisions on their case. They often live in shelters with no access to a kitchen and rarely any money to be able to provide for their children, which makes it extremely difficult to maintain a minimal level of dignity. We cannot allow this to continue, something needs to change,” Judit Criado Fiuza, Director of Adult Education, Immigration & Workforce Development, Mercy Center.
