Barriers and cold at City Hall aggravate New York’s immigrant crisis

It’s just after seven in the morning and he hasn’t slept much, but that’s the least. The important thing is to make sure you don’t lose your place in the front row. Because behind, like every day lately, hundreds of people, Aspect undocumented adult immigrants and refugeesMostly men and people from African countries, they formed a line that snaked down 7th Avenue, turned onto Avenue B, turned around again, and disappeared down 8th Avenue. They’re all trying to get the city to give them a way. bed in shelter for the next 30 days. Not everyone will get this.

This scene in this corner of the East Village is the last visible reminder of that era. New York’s crisis. intense immigrant arrival, More than 140,000 since spring of last year, the combination of homelessness, widespread inequality and an unstable housing market that fuels the need to turn to social services has burst a system already overwhelmed at the seams. With More than 65,000 refugees were hosted in municipal facilities or services paid for by the city and the budget can’t handle it. AND HE Mayordemocrat Eric Adamstaking controversial measures

Adams’ controversial measures

Since May, the first mayor has been fighting in court to prosecute End the “right to asylum” The law, which has been in force in New York for more than forty years, stipulates that money should be given to anyone who wants it, for as long as they need it. Although this legal process has not been resolved, at the end of September the city began distributing among adult immigrants in the city. shelters warnings that they will have to leave them 30 days. Then you must reapply, like at the open center in Santa Brígida, or spend a single night in facilities called “holding areas” where you sleep on the floor, like in the Bronx.

Adams insists the financial burden projected by the city council will exceed the projected amount. 12 billion dollars in three years, unacceptable. Confirmed Cuts in other budget items while still questioning and criticize the Lack of effective policy and economic supportfederal government and President Joe Biden. And it’s true that what comes doesn’t stop (Between 2,000 and 3,000 people per week in the latest), but their responses are prompting complaints and warnings from humanitarian and community groups working with migrants.

They warn that it will convert many homeless in the middle brutal new york winter. Also forcing this constant movement between shelters impossible let them buy one stable direction For example, where to buy? Notifications regarding your transactions related to work permits or their asylum cases.

Crisis also promises worsen. There is also a city council Temporary housing restrictions extended to families with childrenProviding deadlines where appropriate 60 days. The first families will start staying on the streets starting from December 27th. And the alarms are ringing again, especially because of the problems this will create for children who are already disabled. schooled.

deterrent effect

Although the Council does not explicitly recognize this, the measures it takes beyond economic needs deterrent effect and to prevent other immigrants from reaching New York. Yes, the governor, Kathy Hochul, herself a Democrat, acknowledged this and said: “We must Let the world know there are limits“.

Also at the open center in Santa Brígida Free plane or bus tickets to anywhere in the United States but an investigation by local publication ‘The City’ proved that: less than 10% Most of those who passed through this center agreed to leave. According to data obtained by The City again this week, this rate dropped further, falling below 1%.

Gabi is one of those who will not take this option, especially since she has court dates for asylum in New York. He says everything is bad, from the movement between shelters to the lines outside to conditions in the downtown Bronx, where he sleeps on the floor some nights. “therapy” to make people want to return to their country, but it has no effect with it. “It’s a process, like an investment,” he explains. “Here No American dream but I fit in“.