Statement on Mayor’s Openness to Sending People Seeking Asylum to Rikers: “Jail Is Not a Short-term or Longterm Housing Policy.”

NEW YORK, NY: FWD.us

President Todd Schulte released the following statement on reports that the Adams administration is considering sending people seeking asylum to Rikers Island:

“We are deeply troubled by Mayor Eric Adams’ comments that he is considering sending vulnerable individuals and families seeking asylum to Rikers’ Island, which the city has already been ordered to close.

“America is at its best when we ensure people seeking asylum can access the safe, orderly, and humane process they deserve. Rikers has a long, horrifying record of abuse and death; 19 people have died there in just the last year. The horrors of incarcerating people there fueled a broad campaign to close Rikers; today’s statements should be a stark reminder that it should have closed long ago.

“There are clear challenges that stem from people seeking asylum who don’t have housing with immediate family members. But it should be obvious that rather than jail them, we need a coordinated city and federal approach to deliver short-term housing, make sure people can access a timely work permit so they can support themselves, and then help them transition to more stable housing. This is not only the moral thing to do, but it will also help strengthen our communities and grow local economies. America can and should do this, and we deserve leaders who will actually build solutions.

“Jail is not a short-term or long-term housing policy.”

Immigrant Advocates Demand Mayor Adams’ Scrap Plan to House Asylum Seekers At Rikers Island Jail

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy & advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York. The NYIC serves one of the largest and most diverse newcomer populations in the United States.

NYIC Executive Director, Murad Awawdeh released the following statement:

“Rikers Island has a long track record of causing nothing but pain, suffering and death to those that have been forced to reside there. It is a stain on our city. We have joined the countless numbers of advocates and organizations who have called for it to be permanently shuttered, which makes this news even more alarming. Housing asylum seekers – who are pursuing their legal right to apply for asylum – on Rikers is simply immoral. The traumatizing effect of doing so, after people have fled violence and persecution in their home countries, will cause more injury to families who are already struggling. Asylum seekers and the rest of the unhoused population of NYC need permanent housing – they do not belong in jails. The Adams administration must partner with local community-based organizations and every level of government to develop a humane approach to receive our newest neighbors in a safe, orderly, and secure manner. Together, communities across New York State can create a welcoming New York for all, no matter when people arrived or how they got here.”l