Ecuadorian Antonio Padilla’s Frustrated American Dream: The Difficulty of Seeking Asylum in NY

Carrying a suitcase full of dreams and hopes that did not materialize, Ecuadorian Antonio Padilla returns to his country after four months seeking asylum in NY.

“Many dreams, hopes, but now… this is practically a frustrated dream,” Padilla said.

-Because?

“One comes with the illusion… that one can do many things and the truth is that it is a deception,” Padilla added. “The experience here is an odyssey and very difficult. The American dream is very difficult, yes.”

How difficult it has been to live from shelter to shelter and without finding work, until finally they were given an ultimatum, to fend for themselves and leave the shelters.

Padilla.

“Almost everyone here in the ROW on 45th… we were also here and on the Island of Staten Island as well, several shelters sent us and honestly we don’t see results and that’s why we decided to return to our country.”

The publication Politico reports that in recent days the mayor’s office has sent asylum seekers who have had to vacate the shelters in which they were staying to a location in Manhattan, the same one that has operated for the sole purpose of reserving air tickets. Something that we were able to confirm by talking to immigrants like Héctor Puma, also from Ecuador.

“I’m going to Denver, where my family is. My shelter is over, that’s why,” Puma explained.

-Didn’t it work much in New York?

“No, it went well for me, thank God, but my three months of shelter were over. Now I’m going to reunite with my family.”

The Adams administration has noted that “with no signs of a decompression strategy in the near future, we have established a ticketing center for immigrants.

It is added that “the city will redouble its efforts to purchase plane tickets for immigrants and thus help them take the next steps in their travels.”

“I’m leaving with God’s blessing. ‘bye’, take care,” said Puma.

Immigrants seeking asylum who want to get their plane ticket to other cities or to their countries of origin can come to the center which is located at East 7th Street and Avenue B in the East Village in Manhattan.

2023-10-29 18:47:00


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