PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Edafe Okporo, Executive Director of Refuge America
3:54:28
·
144 sec
Edafe Okporo, Executive Director of Refuge America, strongly opposes the 30/60 day shelter limit policies, arguing they undermine New York City's right to shelter laws and harm vulnerable populations, particularly LGBTQIA asylum seekers. He urges the administration to govern with compassion and maintain legislation that has helped people like him rebuild their lives.
- Shared personal experience of running NYC's first shelter for asylum seekers, highlighting the positive impact on lives like Desta, a gay asylum seeker from Guyana
- Questioned the administration's motives in orchestrating a "migrant crisis" when influx rates have decreased
- Called for efficient creation of safety nets for New Yorkers instead of vilifying migrants
Edafe Okporo
3:54:28
Thank you to the committee of general welfare.
3:54:31
Thank you, council member Ayala and council member Aviles.
3:54:35
My name is Edafe Ogboro.
3:54:37
I'm the executive director of Refuge America.
3:54:40
We are a nonprofit serving LGBTQIA asylum seekers.
3:54:45
My testimony today is a protest in standing in gap for people who are traditionally marginalized by society.
3:54:55
I strongly oppose the 30 day and 60 day shelter limit policies because this limit is an attempt to undermine the city 40 year old right to shelter laws, which have prevented thousands of New Yorkers from sleeping on the streets.
3:55:11
In 2018, I was the executive director of New York City First Shelter for asylum seekers.
3:55:18
I know LGBTQ asylum seekers who go to city shelter and feel unsafe are further threatened by policies that do not give them an opportunity to rebuild their life.
3:55:30
In the years I ran the shelter, we provided shelter for more than 1,000 families to begin their life.
3:55:37
One example comes to mind.
3:55:39
Desta, a gay man from Guyana who sought asylum in New York City.
3:55:44
We brought him from New York City Rescue Shelter into our shelter system, and in 2 years during the pandemic, he was working as an EMT for New York City.
3:55:55
New migrants who come into New York City in search of a new life are just looking for an opportunity to review their life.
3:56:03
That's why I asked the mayor and the administration, at what length are we going to go to orchestrate a migrant crisis just to prove a point, or are we going to work to be efficient to create a safety net for New Yorkers?
3:56:21
We saw an influx of migrants in 2023.
3:56:24
It's more than 18 months.
3:56:26
The rates have gone down drastically.
3:56:30
At what length are we going to go to continue vilifying these migrants?
3:56:34
So I ask the administration to govern with compassion and effectiveness while we seek long term solution.
3:56:41
I urge I urge the administration to stop stripping New York of legislation that has helped people like me to have a different life.
3:56:51
Thank you.
