A delegation led by New York congressmen Nydia Velázquez, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Adriano Espaillat visited the reception center installed in the Roosevelt Hotel, one of the first points of contact for asylum seekers when they arrive in the city, to see how is working.
But the press conference after the tour of the facilities was interrupted by a protest in which anti-immigrant demonstrators shouted and prevented the legislators from speaking.
Something that scared some immigrants.
“The people who are against it should put their hand on their hearts and help us because they are also human beings, just like us and you don’t know what tomorrow may come your way too,” said Zwuhanmys Rovero, an asylum seeker.
Given the impossibility of continuing with the conference, the legislators left the place.
The delegation, which included members of the House Hispanic Caucus, also held a closed-door meeting with Mayor Adams and other local officials to discuss the care the city is providing to newcomers.
According to this committee, the White House needs to do more to extend TPS to Venezuelans, so they can work. Since of the 60,000 asylum seekers under the city’s care, approximately 40% are Venezuelans.
“It would change my life a lot because I could rent something personally for myself, for my family and also for single mothers or fathers who could also help us a lot and for them to be fair when paying people’s work hours as well,” said Carlos. Navarrese.
Mayor Eric Adams has repeatedly called on the federal government to expedite work permits, again insisting that this constant influx of immigrants will “destroy” the city. Statements for which Adams has received strong criticism.
Adams estimates the budget cuts could be 15 percent as the city faces a $12 billion budget shortfall.
2023-09-15 23:58:00
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