Brooklyn Delegation Lobbies for $10 M For Immigrant
Services
embers of The
Brooklyn Delegation to the New York City Council held a press conference
last week at Brooklyn Borough Hall to announce its Immigration
Opportunities Initiative 2005, which aims to increase radically the
amount of money budgeted for the City’s immigrant services. Last fiscal
year, a mere $2.5 million was earmarked for such things as job training,
English as a second language, certain legal services and other
community-based programs that help "new Americans" assimilate. For
fiscal year 2005, the delegation is proposing a $10 million budget to
improve and enhance these programs. They want $6 million for English
language programs, $1.5 million for immigrant legal services, another
$1.5 specifically for immigrant worker legal services, and $1 million
for English language and civics classes for immigrant seniors.
This initiative has the strong backing of community organizations,
immigrant rights groups, and the faith-based community that see
immigrants’ problems firsthand on a daily basis. They have long
complained that immigrant services are greatly inadequate and have
stated that much more money is needed for them to have the necessary
impact.
Stated
Council Member Kendall Stewart, Chair of the City Council’s Immigration
Committee who was the main force behind the initiative, "Immigration is
a fact of life in New York City. Immigrants have enriched, enhanced and
contributed to the development and growth of our city, state and nation.
Yet, we continue to treat them like second-class people. A national
anti-foreigner attitude has made immigrants the target of every
violation of human and civil rights imaginable. Our immigration policies
are an embarrassment to the civilized world."
Stewart went on to say that last year’s $2.5 million to meet the
growing needs of a population that now exceeds 2.5 million people was
woefully inadequate. That comes out to only a dollar per person.
"We
believe that $10 million won’t solve the problem entirely, but it will
go a long way in helping to better address immigrants needs," he
declared.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz spoke about the importance
of the diverse immigrant community to Brooklyn, pointing out that nearly
one million of the borough’s 2.5 million residents are foreign-born.
"Just imagine how drab, how bland Brooklyn would be without the
contribution of all the different ethnicities," he said.
Council
Member Yvette Clarke commented that we all know this nation is a nation
of immigrants, some voluntary, some involuntary, but immigrants
nonetheless. And she said that as a second-generation American herself,
she recognizes the value and contribution that immigrants make to this
society, and when we commit injustices against immigrants, it amounts to
self-hatred. "We can no longer turn a blind eye when we see our seniors,
for instance, struggling just to get meals because of cuts in the budget
that are really tiny in the overall picture, but would mean so much to
them," Clarke stated.
Also speaking were Council Member Letitia James who pointed out that
$10 million is really a very meager request when you look at how much
the immigrant population has done for the City; Council Member Bill de
Blasio who made it clear that when you do
what’s
right for the immigrant community, it’s good for every community; and
Council Member Lewis Fidler, who addressed the mean-spirited comment
people make, "Why don’t they learn English?" – not understanding that
immigrants are clamoring to do so, but the opportunity hasn’t been
available. This initiative seeks to change that.
In
addition to the councilmembers, Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Yvonne
Graham spoke. As was pointed out, she is one of the best examples of the
American dream because she came here from Jamaica, got her college
degree, became a registered nurse, and then founded one of the largest
health institutions in New York, the Caribbean Women's Health
Association. From there, she went on to her current position.
Graham told of what she has personally seen about the urgent need for
assistance to immigrants adjusting to American life and how modest an
amount $10 million really is in the face of such need.
Dr. Roy Hastic, President of the Caribbean American Chamber of
Commerce, also spoke about his early days as an immigrant in New York
City. He brought up the necessity of providing immigrants with
small-business information because small-businesses provide a foothold
in American society and are the backbone of the nation's economy.
Hastic pledged to do everything in his power to spread the word on
behalf of the Immigration Opportunities Initiative so people will help
assert pressure and sensitize the Mayor to the critical need for more
money to be directed toward immigrant programs and services.
embers of The
Brooklyn Delegation to the New York City Council held a press conference
last week at Brooklyn Borough Hall to announce its Immigration
Opportunities Initiative 2005, which aims to increase radically the
amount of money budgeted for the City’s immigrant services. Last fiscal
year, a mere $2.5 million was earmarked for such things as job training,
English as a second language, certain legal services and other
community-based programs that help "new Americans" assimilate. For
fiscal year 2005, the delegation is proposing a $10 million budget to
improve and enhance these programs. They want $6 million for English
language programs, $1.5 million for immigrant legal services, another
$1.5 specifically for immigrant worker legal services, and $1 million
for English language and civics classes for immigrant seniors.
Stated
Council Member Kendall Stewart, Chair of the City Council’s Immigration
Committee who was the main force behind the initiative, "Immigration is
a fact of life in New York City. Immigrants have enriched, enhanced and
contributed to the development and growth of our city, state and nation.
Yet, we continue to treat them like second-class people. A national
anti-foreigner attitude has made immigrants the target of every
violation of human and civil rights imaginable. Our immigration policies
are an embarrassment to the civilized world."
"We
believe that $10 million won’t solve the problem entirely, but it will
go a long way in helping to better address immigrants needs," he
declared.
Council
Member Yvette Clarke commented that we all know this nation is a nation
of immigrants, some voluntary, some involuntary, but immigrants
nonetheless. And she said that as a second-generation American herself,
she recognizes the value and contribution that immigrants make to this
society, and when we commit injustices against immigrants, it amounts to
self-hatred. "We can no longer turn a blind eye when we see our seniors,
for instance, struggling just to get meals because of cuts in the budget
that are really tiny in the overall picture, but would mean so much to
them," Clarke stated.
what’s
right for the immigrant community, it’s good for every community; and
Council Member Lewis Fidler, who addressed the mean-spirited comment
people make, "Why don’t they learn English?" – not understanding that
immigrants are clamoring to do so, but the opportunity hasn’t been
available. This initiative seeks to change that.
In
addition to the councilmembers, Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Yvonne
Graham spoke. As was pointed out, she is one of the best examples of the
American dream because she came here from Jamaica, got her college
degree, became a registered nurse, and then founded one of the largest
health institutions in New York, the Caribbean Women's Health
Association. From there, she went on to her current position.
