Melkin Bonilla, his wife Chantel and their five children spent a journey of more than thirty days to reach New York.
They are Garífuna from Tela Honduras and since they got off the bus they have been admitted to the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan where they have received help.
“Well, well, they give us food, juices for the children, diapers, milk… they treat us well, we have been here in NY for a month now,” explained Chantel Julissa.
This is exactly what was confirmed this Thursday by Democratic congresswoman Nydia Velásquez, who with other elected officials entered the facilities of the now-refuge to verify the treatment and conditions of newcomers seeking asylum.
“The shelter is very well organized, very clean, providing medical assistance, mental assistance, assistance for schools,” said the congresswoman.
And while they are grateful for all the help, Bonilla and his wife say they want to work and fend for themselves… Bonilla spoke directly on camera to President Joe Biden.
“We ask the government directly, let’s say that they give me accommodation to sleep, that’s good, because I bring my family, but I don’t come to sleep, I come to work. We will be grateful if you give us permission to work, work properly as possible and to be able to be us, we don’t need to work with another identity,” said Bonilla.
The officials also called on the federal authorities to speed up the work permit process and to provide more resources to solve the crisis that the city is already going through, in terms of the number of immigrants and the millionaire spending.
They also asked the mayor to analyze the rules of stay.
“They tell single immigrants they have 60 days to find a job, 60 days to find a house, 60 days to do well, it’s an arbitrary and inhumane number, it’s not acceptable and we reject it,” Councilwoman Julie said. Wong.
Chantel wants her children to grow up in NY and wants to give them a better life than they would have in her country.
“We want to work, we want everything for the children to move forward, I want my children to get ahead, I come to look for a better life for them,” said Chantel.
2023-08-11 11:17:00
#Immigrants #NYC #shelter #work
