One Brooklyn
January 14, 2016
BROOKLYN, NY, January 14, 2016: Today, Representative Nydia M. Velázquez and Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams demanded that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) end the federal deportation threat facing Latino families in the borough. In recent days, raids conducted nationwide by ICE have targeted refugees from Central American countries, causing widespread fear among immigrants and creating concerns over an impending humanitarian crisis. To date, there have been no confirmed reports of immigration arrests of this kind in the region, and City officials have emphasized that immigrant families have rights, including to education, emergency food and shelter, legal services, and municipal identification. Representative Velázquez and Borough President Adams expressed their staunch disapproval with the policy and urged ICE to change course.
“The Administration has correctly suggested we should provide safe haven to refugees fleeing violence in the Syria and the Middle East,” said Representative Velázquez. “Yet, they would apprehend and deport women and children in the same situation from Central America. This makes no sense. These raids are an affront to our values as Americans and they must stop.”
“What took place in other parts of the state and the country cannot take place here in New York,” said Borough President Adams. “We cannot turn our backs on those who are fleeing terror. We must become a safe haven for those who are fleeing terror. That is our signature as Americans. Months ago, I was in Turkey, forty miles outside of Syria, visiting a refugee camp and seeing the children and how much they much they depend and count on America to be the conscience of the globe. If it’s alright to stand up and raise our voices for Syrian refugees, it is alright for us to raise our voice for our neighbors in the south who should not be terrorized and victimized. We should not terrorize, penalize, or create an environment when parents are afraid to go to their places of employment or drop their children off to school.”
On Sunday, Representative Velázquez and Borough President Adams protested the ICE strategy before the start of the Brooklyn Three Kings Day Parade, a 19-year cultural tradition that travels down Graham Avenue in Williamsburg, also known as the Avenue of Puerto Rico. Joined by Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna, Assembly Member Maritza Davila, Council Member Antonio Reynoso, clergy leaders, and organizations such as Central American Legal Assistance, El Puente, and Make the Road New York, they distributed “know your rights” information to residents and discussed additional plans to canvass communities in Cypress Hills and Sunset Park in the coming days. Furthermore, concerned immigrants were urged to reach out if they feel at risk, either to their local representative in Congress, Brooklyn Borough Hall, or a trusted immigrant advocate.
“New York City is the most immigrant-friendly city in the nation, so immigrants here should feel confident that they will not be targeted by ICE,” said Council Member Reynoso. “Additionally, thanks to funding provided by Speaker Mark-Viverito, all undocumented migrant children can now have access to free legal representation, which can help them avoid deportation. Immigrants are the lifeblood of this city and the Council will continue to work to ensure that their rights are protected.”
“We applaud Borough President Adams and Representative Velázquez for joining our members at Make the Road New York to alert them about their rights if they have an encounter with an ICE official,” said Yorelis Vidal, senior organizer of Make the Road New York. “The more that our community knows what their rights are, the more we can prevent the separation of families.”
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