Africans Pack New York Mayor’s Office in False Hope of Work Permits and Permanent Residence
In a recent turn of events in New York City, over 1,300 Africans gathered at the mayor’s office this Tuesday in hopes of obtaining work permits and permanent residency, or ‘green cards,’ after hearing a false rumor. Mostly hailing from Guinea in West Africa, the immigrants stood in line for a joint hearing of the Immigration and Hospital committees, only to find that a mere 250 people were able to enter, as reported by local media.
One immigrant, 44-year-old Amadou Sara Bah from Guinea, shared his disappointment with the New York Post, stating that they were promised assistance with obtaining work permits and green cards if they attended the public hearing. The hearing focused on the experiences of black immigrants and aimed to improve access to local care systems for this population.
Councilwoman Alexa Avilés, president of the Immigration Committee, addressed the crowd gathered on the steps of City Hall, highlighting the need to address language barriers, cultural differences, and health needs faced by black immigrants. However, the hundreds who were unable to enter the hearing staged a protest outside City Hall, expressing their frustrations over housing and work permit issues faced by immigrants from Haiti, Guinea, and Senegal.
Many of the recent immigrants have been staying in the city’s public shelter system, which has reached capacity, leading to the renting of hotels as additional shelters. Singles in the shelters are now limited to a 30-day stay, leaving many to seek accommodation on their own or accept tickets to other states provided by the city. The slow process of obtaining work permits from the federal government has only added to their struggles.
In response to the growing migration crisis, the Mayor’s Office announced the formation of the Strategy Team for New Arrivals, aimed at improving the integration of newcomers. The team includes Lillian Barrios Paoli, the first Mexican to serve as vice mayor for Health and Human Resources, and Lissete Nieves, who has a background in municipal and federal government roles.
As the city grapples with the challenges faced by new immigrants, the need for a comprehensive and supportive approach to integration remains crucial for the well-being of these communities.
By EFE