PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Angela Eslava Gonzalez, Paralegal Case Handler at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
4:50:56
·
178 sec
Angela Eslava Gonzalez, a paralegal case handler at NYLAG, provides testimony on the challenges faced by immigrants in the shelter system due to the 60-day policy. She highlights issues with the reapplication process, the impact on families, and concerns about discriminatory practices in immigrant-specific shelters.
- Clarifies that single adults and adult new immigrant families can be denied shelter reapplication, contrary to previous statements
- Criticizes unclear criteria for shelter stay extensions and the expectation for immigrants to violate federal law by working without authorization
- Emphasizes the destabilizing effect of the 60-day policy on immigrant families with minor children and the inadequacy of immigrant-specific shelters
Angela Eslava Gonzalez
4:50:56
Thank you.
4:50:58
Deputy speaker Ajala, chair Aviles, council members, and staff, good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to speak.
4:51:05
My name is Angela Slava Gonzales, and I am a paralegal case handler at the shelter and economic stability project at NILAC.
4:51:12
Council member Ajala, you said to a previous panelist that if he reapplies for shelter, he will be given a placement.
4:51:18
This is not true.
4:51:19
I just want to make clear that single adult and adult new immigrant families can be put out on the street and can have the reapplication denied by the terms of the Callahan settlement.
4:51:30
New immigrant adult do not have a right to shelter.
4:51:40
Although the city claims it provides extensive case management services to assist in the process prior to reapplying, the criteria of what counts as evidence for a shelter extension is unclear to many applicants.
4:51:52
Most often, new immigrants have taken many steps to exit the shelter system, which counts towards being granted an extension.
4:52:00
But since the criteria is unclear and the reapplication process inaccurately revolves around whether applicants have prue call status, new immigrants are unaware that they might have had might have had additional evidence to support their application for an extension.
4:52:13
Thus, they are often wrongly denied and forced out onto the street.
4:52:17
New immigrants are told that showing evidence that they have looked for a job or that they are working can help their shelters stay extension applications.
4:52:25
Many who need to reapply are not legally authorized to work.
4:52:29
Essentially, the city is asking people to violate federal law if they want to be granted an extension of their shelter stay.
4:52:35
Many Nyla clients have become street homeless as a result.
4:52:40
Further, milligram families with minor children are being needlessly destabilized by the 60 day policy.
4:52:46
Given that every family with minor children is given a new placement when the when they reapply, This policy seems designed to destabilize families and try to force them out of New York City.
4:52:56
These policies also affect new immigrants, public benefits, and immigration relief applications due to unreliable access to mail.
4:53:03
The centralized mail room is insufficient until it is clear when, where, and how it will work.
4:53:10
Finally, separating new immigrants into their own poorly resourced and poorly regulated shelter system discriminates against them based on their national origin and economic status.
4:53:19
Shelter that serve immigrant specifically have families with children that are staying in literal tents that do not provide shelter from the elements, are given literal food, some sometimes even cold or frozen, and do not have access to caseworkers, childcare, or housing vouchers.
4:53:33
Asylum seeking immigrants should be provided with the same level of shelter and services as all other people experiencing homelessness in the city.
4:53:42
Within the committees on general welfare and immigration for the work you have done to facilitate services for vulnerable New Yorkers.
4:53:49
Happy to answer any questions if there are any.
Diana Ayala
4:53:52
Good job.
4:53:53
Thank you.
Angela Eslava Gonzalez
4:53:53
Thank you.
