fbpx
Search
Close this search box.
Parent Holding Child Facing Camera

Testimony: Asylum-Seeking Families Need More Humane Intake and Sheltering Services

In recent weeks, there has been a major influx of asylum-seeking families in New York City. Often fleeing unspeakable horrors in their home countries, families are met with underfunded and understaffed shelters and services, and are often re-traumatized when trying to access the Department of Homeless Services’ (DHS) shelter system. Deborah Berkman, the coordinating attorney of the Shelter Advocacy Initiative at the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), spoke before the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare about these long-standing issues.

Below is an excerpt from her testimony.

“The client stories I have shared have much in common: a traumatic danger-filled journey to escape life threatening conditions in their home country, being forced to stay at a PATH intake center for extended periods of time waiting for shelter placement, xenophobic treatment once the family enters shelter, and insufficient water and supplies within the shelter.”

Share this post

Related Articles

NYLAG Obtains FOIA Response About SSA’s Proposed Payroll Information Exchange with Equifax

After NYLAG filed a FOIA lawsuit, SSA produced the contract it had entered into with Equifax, pricing tables, an addendum which outlined the specific standards for the Equifax payroll information exchange, and relevant data privacy and security guidelines for the development of such a system. On February 15, 2024, SSA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that sets forth a proposed rule for the use of this data matching process.

Read More »

NYLAG Outlines 2024-2025 State Legislative Priorities 

As Albany kicks off its 2024 legislative session, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) looks forward to advocating for the policies and budgetary measures in the following areas on behalf of the communities we serve and our mission to combat racial, social, and economic injustice.

Read More »
Scroll to Top