NYC faith leaders urge care for asylum-seekers, press officials to offer same

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.