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Monday Bulletin: NYC Is Migrants’ Top Destination; Martha’s Vineyard Works For Some

July 10, 2023 | 3:57 AM
in COLUMNS, NEWS, POLITICS
31
A line of migrants waiting to enter the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew wraps around the corner at West 86th Street and West End Avenue. Photograph by Pastor K Karpen.

Monday Bulletin
July 10, 2023
Cloudy, with thunderstorms possible. High 81 degrees.

Notices
The second series of Manhattanhenge sunsets of the year, when the sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan’s east-west street grid, will occur on Wednesday, July 12 at 8:20 p.m. (full sun), and Thursday, July 13 at 8:21 p.m. (half sun). On Thursday at 7 p.m., there will be an event celebrating the final Manhattanhenge of 2023 at the American Museum of Natural History (79th and Columbus), featuring a 3-D presentation followed by an outdoor viewing party with a live salsa band and ice cream! For more information and tickets ($15 General Admission, $12.50 Members), click here.

Migrant News
“New York City is the top destination for recently arrived migrants seeking asylum in the United States,” according to a report from Syracuse University. Almost 39,000 asylum seekers have located in the city in the past three months, “based on the zip codes of where immigrants with new deportation cases have settled according to Immigration Court records.” These migrants must appear in court and “defend themselves against the government’s efforts to deport them. For many, they will need to establish that they should be granted asylum or alternative forms of relief from removal.”

“Even as migrants have applied for asylum in record numbers, advocates and immigration attorneys say that without additional legal support, many — perhaps the majority — will miss their application deadline[s]….” The New York Times reported. What’s more, the application itself can be incredibly difficult to complete: “It is 12 pages long, in English, and includes questions like the last five addresses where the applicant lived, the names and addresses of relatives, and a portion to explain — in detail — what harm or mistreatment they have faced. Missing one question can result in the return of an application.”

Why are migrants coming to NYC? Anecdotal evidence suggests its reputation as a sanctuary city that lives up to its name has something to do with it. But an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal says the reason is more cut-and-dried: “When lax enforcement of the border meets the ‘right to shelter,’ the result is an unmanageable crisis….” But is the attempt to modify that right by Mayor Adams truly a “modest” proposal?

Finally, a bright spot: The New York Times took a look at what happened to some of the migrants who were bused to Martha’s Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, back in October, 2022.

Within days, most of the migrants were gone, headed for other parts of Massachusetts and places like New York, Washington and Michigan — places better equipped than a small island to settle people who had arrived with little or nothing of their own.

As it turned out, though, not all of them left.

…at least four migrants…have quietly stayed behind on the island, forming bonds with a community that opened what doors it could. [Deici] Cauro, 25, is working as a landscaper. Her brother, Daniel, 29, and her cousin, Eliud Aguilar, 28, found jobs in painting and roofing.

They first stayed in the homes of Martha’s Vineyard residents who invited them in, and then began earning enough money for a house of their own, with the four of them currently chipping in $1,000 a month each for a two-bedroom house. They got bicycles to ride around town.

“I did not even know where Martha’s Vineyard was. And now I feel welcomed by everybody here. I’m working, making friends and this is home for me now,” Ms. Cauro said with a wide smile. “This is home now. I don’t want to leave.”

Bonus: If you want a great read, here is Sally Jenkins’ story in The Washington Post about the friendship of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.

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31 Comments
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lisa
lisa
2 years ago

In a new enterprise, on Sunday noticed one person had set up sidewalk hair-cutting on 70th & Broadway (sw corner) – with scissors, a folding chairs and a box.

6
Reply
SAM
SAM
2 years ago
Reply to  lisa

Lisa:
The guy is there today too – new resident of the Stratford Arms.
Custom cuts.
Cash only.

1
Reply
Maria
Maria
2 years ago
Reply to  SAM

And totally unlicensed and not monitored for hygiene. While I can’t fault the man for trying to make a buck, this is not up to standards that other barbers have to follow.

15
Reply
SAM
SAM
2 years ago
Reply to  Maria

Maria,
No they should not be cutting hair on the sidewalk, though possibly they do not know.
(I believe the person was also using a blade which seems of special concern )

Yes barbershops must pay rent, follow health/safety requirements, staff must be licensed.

18
Reply
Lisa
Lisa
1 year ago
Reply to  SAM

Cutting hair on the street is a common sight in third world countries.

6
Reply
Leon
Leon
2 years ago

There are countless towns across America that are in desperate need of low-skill workers. I don’t understand why some of the migrants aren’t sent to these places – it is a simple example of supply and demand. Housing them in these places would also be much cheaper.

And no, this is not a NIMBY response. It is as much for their good as mine. I’m not saying to send them on a random bus to a random destination like the Republicans are doing – match up workers with jobs. Very simple. I admire the fact that many of the migrants seem eager to work, so let’s do it!

29
Reply
Lisa
Lisa
1 year ago
Reply to  Leon

Leon, the Republicans are sending them to sanctuary cities like NYC because we have said we will not deport them or enforce our border laws. Other smaller cities do not have the same policies and are not likely to welcome people in the country illegally.

7
Reply
caly
caly
2 years ago
Reply to  Leon

I realize that you’ve posted this message before and I meant to ask if you’ve been to the midwest or northwest, and if there were specific cities/states that you had in mind. There are US citizens working 2-3 jobs trying to keep up with mortgages. Plus medical insurance, childcare, cars/insurance, utilities, etc. My friends who left the city thinking life was going to be better/easier somewhere else are now struggling in other ways, but it always comes down to not having enough money.

Why would we send unskilled non-English-speaking migrants to small towns without public transportation, no shelters, and certainly no resources for them? Or do you mean that the government has to continue to be responsible for them (just not in NYC)?

Last edited 2 years ago by caly
7
Reply
Peter
Peter
2 years ago
Reply to  caly

Yes they support open borders. As long as the migrants go elsewhere. These same people have the ‘ no human is illegal sign’.

18
Reply
Peter
Peter
2 years ago
Reply to  Leon

WSR didn’t like my response. Let’s try again. These places have no mass transit or city shelters. They need skilled workers with cars, work permits and English skills. You don’t need any of those things in NYC. I

25
Reply
oldtimer
oldtimer
2 years ago

No surprise that new asylum seekers prefer NY city as most coveted destination.
After their hard journey they come here and get a room at a hotel or other place, food, health care, schooling for their kids, and an opportunity to get their life together.
All good and dandy for them but what about our own US citizens who are homeless and hopeless?
We must think of our own, before or while thinking of new comers non citizens.
And we don’t know how and when this will end. A million could be a number that will send New York city to the abyss, money wise.

55
Reply
Stanley
Stanley
2 years ago
Reply to  oldtimer

Immigrants create businesses, earn money, which they spend on food and shelter and as they grow these businesses they hire people to work for them. Immigrants are mostly intelligent people trying to start a new life. They pay taxes.

2
Reply
Christian
Christian
1 year ago
Reply to  Stanley

Illegal immigrants or Legal immigrants? Big difference.

1
Reply
Gloria Stein
Gloria Stein
2 years ago

Love, love, love them! Welcome to your new home! This neighborhood needs more of the hispanics. Diversity is so important to a f growing city. They will have culture and opportunity that they never had in their homeland. Top restaurants, museums, the ballet and the philharmonic! Many in my building do not trust them, but I welcome them with open arms, poor things. “Abrir la manzana no es solo para pan blanco!”

8
Reply
UWS-er of 25 years
UWS-er of 25 years
2 years ago
Reply to  Gloria Stein

I don’t think it is a sincere comment. Sounds more like an attempt at humour.

18
Reply
Margaret
Margaret
2 years ago

Oh how about that 4 migrants welcomed in Martha’s Vineyard …. No papers but working manual jobs maybe a few more for housekeeping? God bless the kind liberals in MV

13
Reply
Lllll
Lllll
2 years ago
Reply to  Margaret

I am pretty sure they do have papers – that is what happens when you apply for asylum.

0
Reply
Ben
Ben
2 years ago
Reply to  Margaret

Exactly. “A community that opened what doors it could.” Are you kidding?! Martha’s Vineyard is one of the richest ZIP codes in America. All of 4 immigrants are there AND they’re each paying a grand a month in rent! Move over, Mother Teresa.

33
Reply
Jack
Jack
2 years ago
Reply to  Margaret

Seems like the “kind liberals in MV” arranged for the majority of asylum-seekers to be bused out to other locations just like Florida and Texas do

28
Reply
chrigid
chrigid
2 years ago

still not clear to me if the southern-border migrants choose to come here or if they are being sent here

1
Reply
D M
D M
2 years ago

Second time trying to post it. I’m not sure what the issue is. We are not allowed to ask uncomfortable questions?

I would be curious to know how our local migrants in the recently open 2 shelters doing. Didn’t we get 800 of them? Why we don’t hear about them but 4 migrants in a different state?

43
Reply
UWS-er of 25 years
UWS-er of 25 years
2 years ago

Can we get a follow on our recent local migrant shelters from Gale Brewer who claimed she is on top of things? That would be much more useful than an article about four migrants in Martha’s Vineyard.

36
Reply
Abe Goring
Abe Goring
2 years ago

Relocate the masses outside of the city. We have overflowing shelters as it is.
New York is a big state. Plenty of open spaces to house migrants.
I’m thinking this https://www.worldabandoned.com/adler-hotel
is better than Mexico.

11
Reply
Frustrated UWS
Frustrated UWS
2 years ago

How can this city afford this any longer? 39,000 in JUST the last 3 months. Hello! We ALL know they are wanting a better life, yes. But there are US citizens, some VETERANS, on the street that everyone says they care about. Really? If you cared about the mentally ill and destitute US citizens that have been here for years, roaming the street, then our money should pay taxes to house and assist them first. Put the money into mental health programs, beds and housing and make some laws to make them get the help they desperately need.

Without a change to the Sanctuary City status, expect our schools, senior programs and libraries to suffer and don’t complain when they do. When the politicians start to cry about budgets being cut, I say stop the theatrics and do something about it.

27
Reply
Ryan
Ryan
2 years ago
Reply to  Frustrated UWS

So we can’t help anyone else until we have no homeless or veterans in need?

0
Reply
Peter
Peter
2 years ago
Reply to  Frustrated UWS

Welcome to the border crisis. It’s been impacting other stat s for many years.

20
Reply
Frustrated UWS
Frustrated UWS
1 year ago
Reply to  Peter

Agreed. And it would be nice if the border crisis would finally be addressed again after it has exponentially increased the last 2 years. There were supposed to be “root causes” addressed. What happened to that?

Last edited 1 year ago by Frustrated UWS
4
Reply
Gloria Stein
Gloria Stein
2 years ago
Reply to  Frustrated UWS

US veterans have been here all their life and get assistance from the government. These poor hispanics can’t even speak English. They need our help. We, as Upper West Siders, need to reach deeper into our pockets to give help to our new citizens.

2
Reply
Charles buchwald
Charles buchwald
2 years ago

Acculturation takes time. Many migrants come from rural backgrounds where teenage marriage is accepted and the male role is respected and dominant. Multiple children are the norm. In agrarian societies. Many children make many field hands. There is also the religious component of assuming that God will take care of large families.

The challenge is to help migrants change from a rural culture to an urban culture not only in terms of family size but women’s roles and dietary habits. Many new arrivals are overweight due to foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates. This leads to health problems which tax payers will absorb in the future.

There will be a place for them as there has always been for immigrants in New York City. However, that place will only be a good fit if the effort is made on the part of both new arrivals and support systems to properly integrate into a modern American urban setting.

0
Reply
Ryan
Ryan
2 years ago
Reply to  Charles buchwald

lol, so these desperately poor people from “agrarian societies” are more overweight than Americans, one of the most obese populations in the world? Gonna need a citation for that one, chief.

1
Reply
Lin
Lin
2 years ago
Reply to  Charles buchwald

In Sweden, migrants are expected to take Swedish language and classes about Sweden and Swedish laws, society etc.

NYC provides free hotel/shelter (per the City’s obligation) and other services – but does not bother to inform newcomers about core aspects of life here.
That lack is a disservice at best and dangerous at worst

15
Reply

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