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NYC faith leaders urge care for asylum-seekers, press officials to offer same
By
Arun Venugopal
Published Sep 12, 2023
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Arun Venugopal/Gothamist
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Arun Venugopal
Published Sep 12, 2023
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A group of interfaith leaders from across the five boroughs called on government officials on Tuesday to treat migrants compassionately and urged President Joe Biden and Congress to expedite work authorizations in order to reduce the economic strain on taxpayers.
The religious leaders rallied outside of City Hall while carrying signs that read “Welcome the Stranger” and “Give Me Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free.” They also issued a statement, called “Toward a Covenant on Behalf of New York’s Newest New Yorkers,” in which they advocated for migrants to be provided with shelter, health services, education and legal assistance for their asylum applications.
“We want to work as allies in partnership with government to best achieve these objectives,” read the statement. “We will hold ourselves accountable for being available to work on these issues, and we will hold our elected and appointed officials accountable for doing what we expect them to do. We want to hasten the day when these new New Yorkers can become self-sufficient members of our communities.”
The rally was the latest attempt to influence the city, state and federal governments' approach to the more than 100,000 migrants who have arrived in the city since spring 2022. Many immigrant rights activists have strongly criticized Mayor Eric Adams in recent days for claiming that “this issue will destroy New York City.” Those who attended Tuesday’s rally adopted a softer tone and said they wanted to be collaborative.
The Rev. Chloe Breyer, executive director at the Interfaith Center of New York, described the covenant as a promise and “a Biblical concept” that extended to other Abrahamic traditions.
“It’s a challenge to all of us to ask ourselves, ‘Are we really doing all we can to help these new New Yorkers be able thrive and give back to our community?’” she said.
Ammar Abdul Rahman, the deputy imam at Masjid Al-Haram in the Bronx, recited an Arabic verse from the Quran before the approximately 20 attendees, which he translated as a command from God that if anyone comes “asking and begging” for help, “do not push them away.”
Abdul Rahman said he hoped the religious community and those who are on the front lines of the migrant crisis could help policymakers address the situation.
“There’s been a disconnect between those of us on the ground versus those who are making the policies. It does not seem as though the policies reflect the policies on the ground,” he said.
Tagged
immigration
new york city
Asylum Seekers
Race And Justice Unit
eric adams
Arun Venugopal
Arun Venugopal is a senior reporter for the WNYC and Gothamist Race & Justice Unit who focuses on issues of race and bias in our region. His reporting also tackles the topics of immigration, faith, and inequality. Arun serves as the regular fill-in host of the station's "U.S. of Anxiety" program. Arun was the creator and host of Micropolis, a series about race and identity. He is a contributor to NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered. He has appeared on PBS Newshour, On the Media and Studio 360, and has been published in The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and Salon. He also frequently serves as an emcee and moderator of panel discussions on race, religion, and identity issues and has been a guest host of NPR's "Fresh Air." He lives with his family in Queens.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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