Brooklyn DA wants to see city support influx of asylum seekers and refugees
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, pictured here with Jessica Orozco, the chief of staff at the Hispanic Federation, said that the Hispanic community needs to support the influx of asylum seekers and refugees that have come to New York City in recent months. Gonzalez recalled his own family migrating to New York as farmers to point out that he really isn’t so different from the immigrants of today. Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese
WILLIAMSBURG — Since this past spring nearly 15,000 migrants, asylum seekers and refugees have made their way to New York City, and Brooklyn’s District Attorney Eric Gonzalez wants to see his borough and city do what it can to support them.
“We’re really facing an opportunity for this community to stand up, to organize and support the asylum seekers who are coming into the city by the thousands,” Gonzalez said during a Hispanic Heritage Month event in Williamsburg on Monday.
“The numbers change day by day but in the last report there were 15,000 families, and many of them have walked over 2,000 miles to get here,” Gonzalez said. “We need to stand up for that community. We need to fight back against, ‘we don’t have room, we can’t accept that many people.’ About a third of those people are living here in Brooklyn. They are going to be our neighbors.”
Gonzalez recalled his own family’s migration from Puerto Rico to New York and New Jersey, where many of them worked as farmers. He said those coming to Brooklyn today are not much different.
“As they seek asylum, which normally takes anywhere between a year and a year-and-a-half, but during that time we have to make sure that we provide the resources and the commitment to welcome them,” Gonzalez said.
“So many of us share similar experiences,” he continued. “Like my family, many of these migrants are young kids who come here with hope and ambition, seeking help and protection from this country.”
Multiple studies, including one released by the Center for Global Development in March 2022, has suggested that refugees and asylum seekers have a positive economic impact in the United States. That study by the Center for Global Development suggested that between 2017 and 2020, when the previous presidential administration limited the number of refugees and asylum seekers it cost the United States an estimated $9.1 billion per year in economic activity.
Eric Gonzalez poses with members of his office who have decided to name The Eric Gonzalez Latino Alliance for Justice after their boss. Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese
During the event, Gonzalez was praised for the work he has done to keep immigrants safe. In 2017, his office hired immigration attorneys specifically to help avoid collateral consequences for immigrants facing charges such as deportation.
Gonzalez was also frequently vocal during that same time in calling to keep the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement out of local courthouses. He explained at the time that if immigrants feared going into courthouses it would be hard to get them to assist on cases and even testify at trial.
During Monday’s celebration, Gonzalez’s Office honored two people, Edward Caban, the first deputy police commissioner in the NYPD, and Bishop Dr. Kittim Silva, and it honored three organizations as well, the Police Athletic League, Mixteca Organization, and the Hispanic Federation.
Eric Gonzalez with the honorees from Monday’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese
Gonzalez had much to say about all the honorees, particularly the Hispanic Federation, which he said impressed him with their response to Hurricane Maria.
“If anyone wants to find out how they can get involved please feel free to do so,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve seen the efforts during Hurricane Maria where the Hispanic Federation really stepped up. Normally, I don’t endorse any kind of organizations, but I feel very comfortable saying that if you are looking to get involved and want to help out, please reach out to them at the end of today’s event.”
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
