BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A group of asylum seekers arrived in Western New York early Friday morning. According to Jericho Road Community Health Center, two buses carrying 49 asylum seekers arrived from New York City.
“A group of asylum seekers, via NYC, have started to arrive in our county. We are joining other organizations in welcoming them and showing them what it means to make your home in The City of Good Neighbors,” Jericho Road posted in a tweet.
“Upon their arrival, the New York Immigration Coalition, Jericho Road Community Health Center (JRCHC), Justice for Migrant Families and Jewish Family Services’ Refugee and Immigrant Center for Healing welcomed our new neighbors to Erie County, helping them get acclimated to their new home and addressed their immediate needs,” noted Jericho Road in a news release Friday morning.
A group of asylum seekers, via NYC, have started to arrive in our county. We are joining other organizations in welcoming them and showing them what it means to make your home in The City of Good Neighbors. #Welcome #RefugeesWelcomeHere pic.twitter.com/YlkCzPZHmd
— Jericho Road Community Health Center (@JRCHCBuffaloNY) June 16, 2023
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Jericho Road Community Health Center is committed to caring for our neighbors. We intend to do this well. The folks coming in from NYC are asylum seekers. They have fled horrible situations and have traveled a long and dangerous journey to get here. They are our neighbors and we welcome them. We know that as they find safety and refuge here, our City, State, and Nation will be better for it. At Jericho Road, we have done this work for many years. We are working with our partners, as well as local and state governments, as we walk out this care and as we stand in the gap for this vulnerable population. Their burdens are heavy and their journey has been long, but Buffalo, the City of Good Neighbors, is well equipped for this care.
The resettlement agency stated that New York City “has contracted with an intermediary who will be responsible for providing shelter and food for the new arrivals.”
In turn, the intermediary is working with the local organizations to conduct new arrival intakes and provide other supportive services, including case management, and legal services, and assisting people in getting to their final destinations.
This morning, our immigrant rights community showed up to give the asylum seekers arriving in Buffalo the dignified welcome that they deserve. The City of Good Neighbors has been revitalized by immigrants and refugees in the past, and we look forward to supporting our newest neighbors as they build on this rich tradition, should they decide to plant roots in Western New York. To make this transition as seamless as possible, we are looking forward to further coordination and support from New York State and NYC to ensure that our new arrivals can thrive in our city and in our communities.
“The world is broken and there are people who are fleeing their countries by the millions,” reflected Dr. Myron Glick, founder & CEO, Jericho Road Community Health Center.
Dr. Glick tells me the migrants who arrived speak 12 different languages.
“Find out what their story is. Find out what country they're from. Find out if they want to go to Canada and do they have relatives there and once we have that information, we'll know better. Are they able to get work papers? Can we get them an apartment?” Glick explained
New York City has committed to funding the migrants housing at an undisclosed hotel, along with food, basic needs, and case management services for up to four months.
“We don't know what will happen after that, but we do know that the City of New York has commitments to continue to support people after that — what that may look like is a little bit, is unknown at this point,” responded Meghan Maloney de Zaldivar, New York Immigration Coalition, Buffalo.
Each case is different, but Dr. Glick says his organization has been part of this process for more than two decades.
“And for the last eight years at the Vive, we have been operating the Vive as a homeless shelter for asylum seekers and so every night we help 100 to 150 people with shelter and legal services and case management,” Dr. Glick explained.
Jericho Road notes “Buffalo area is currently home to over 12,000 refugees from Afghanistan, Congo, Ecuador, Somalia, Ukraine, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Venezuela, and other countries."
From South Sudan to Western New York Akec Aguer is living his American dream.
The former refugee arrived in the Queen City 21 years ago after escaping violence in his home country.
“And they told me — if you go to South Sudan, you lost your life,” recalled Akec Aguer, Buffalo resident.
Aguer’s journey brought him here to Buffalo's West Side Bazaar and is now the proud owner of the Nile River Restaurant.
“Do you feel Buffalo gave you that chance and was welcoming to do that?” Buckley asked. “Oh, I’m so proud of Buffalo because I always say Buffalo is strong. It is community — it's strong,” replied Aguer.
And just like Aguer, the 49 asylum seekers who arrived in Western New York from New York City early Friday morning are seeking their own solace.
And for someone who understands the fear and frustrations firsthand, Aguer has these welcoming words.
“I would tell them congratulations. Welcome to Buffalo — it is a good opportunity for you to be here in Buffalo,” declared Aguer
"I've been at Jericho 26 years, going on 27 years, and we've been working with refugees, who are have been resettled in Buffalo all those years and these folks have become an important part of the fabric of this community and have way given back more than what they were given initially," remarked Dr. Glick.
