50+ NYC Dems plead with Biden for assistance on migrant crisis.
Dozens of New York City Democrats Plead for Help with Migrant Crisis
Dozens of New York City Democrats have penned a heartfelt letter to President Biden, urgently pleading for assistance with the city’s spiraling migrant crisis. The letter, signed by fifty-four Democratic lawmakers from across the Big Apple, emphasizes the severity of the situation and implores the White House to provide relief for what they describe as “one of the most significant humanitarian crises New York City has ever faced.”
BREAKING: 54 Elected Officials in NYC have signed my letter calling on President Biden to address the migrant influx. We are calling on @POTUS to declare a state of emergency, expedite work permits, and lead an urgent response at the southern border. pic.twitter.com/VFf4A89y5w
— Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (@JeniferRajkumar) July 26, 2023
Urgent Plea for Assistance
The letter specifically asks President Biden to declare a federal state of emergency regarding the influx of migrants into New York City. It also calls for the expedited issuance of work authorization for migrants, the implementation of a fair distribution system for incoming migrants, and increased financial support for New York to effectively manage the crisis.
“We are elected officials from New York City requesting your help. Our City is experiencing an unprecedented migrant influx, with a surge of asylum seekers arriving here in numbers never seen before in history,” the Democrats wrote.
They further express their pride in New York City being a beacon of hope for immigrants but highlight that the current influx has overwhelmed the city’s resources, pushing it to the brink.
A Call for Action
The letter was drafted by state Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, a Democrat from Queens. Rajkumar emphasizes that the intention behind the letter is not to embarrass President Biden but to draw attention to the severity of the crisis. She clarifies that the letter was drafted independently of City Hall, although Mayor Eric Adams has recently criticized the Biden administration for “failing” New York City in addressing the migrant crisis.
Responding to the letter, Kate Smart, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams, expressed gratitude for the support of Assemblymember Rajkumar and her colleagues, emphasizing that the situation is a national crisis requiring a national response.
A City Overwhelmed
Since April of last year, over 90,000 migrants have arrived in New York City, with approximately 55,000 still being housed at the city’s expense. This influx has caused the city’s homeless shelters to reach capacity, resulting in a record-breaking 105,800 people being sheltered. To address the crisis, New York City has already allocated $1.2 billion since last summer.
Mayor Eric Adams has described the arrival of approximately 2,500 asylum seekers every week as a “silent crisis” for the city. In reality, the number is even higher, with around 2,800 new migrants arriving in the week ending July 16.
In an effort to manage the chaos, New York City has started distributing flyers at the southern border, warning migrants that there is no guarantee of shelter in the city and encouraging them to consider other destinations.
A Repeated Plea for Help
This is not the first time that Democrats representing New York have appealed to the Biden administration for assistance with the city’s migrant emergency. Last month, every House Democrat from New York wrote to President Biden, urging him to expedite work authorizations for migrants. Representative Gregory Meeks, who led the June letter alongside Representative Jerry Nadler, expressed the need for comprehensive immigration reform, highlighting the reluctance of Republicans to engage in meaningful dialogue on the issue.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...