PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Marie Cruz Perez, Asylum Seeker, on Shelter Experiences and Immigration Challenges
0:25:05
·
4 min
Marie Cruz Perez, an asylum seeker living in a Manhattan shelter, testified about her experiences with multiple shelter relocations, discrimination, and challenges with her immigration case. She expressed fear and uncertainty about her future, especially in light of the upcoming change in presidential administration.
- Perez has lived in three different shelters over 120 days, with her current shelter having a 60-day stay limit
- She reported experiencing racism and discrimination in her current shelter, as well as issues with receiving important immigration-related mail on time
- Perez emphasized her desire to "do the right things" and live without constant fear, appealing for help from the council
Marie Cruz Perez (via Spanish Interpreter)
0:25:05
It's okay.
0:25:06
My name is Marie Cruz Perez.
0:25:08
I'm living in one of the hotels, based in Manhattan.
0:25:11
Right?
0:25:12
And I'm going to display I'm going to explain some of the matters and situations I'm going through right now.
0:25:41
Okay.
0:25:41
I had changed my cell, to multiple shelters, because of my economical situation.
0:25:47
I had lived for a period of around a 120 days in 3 different shelter.
0:25:52
Those shelters?
0:25:54
Sorry.
0:25:54
In in 3 different shelters.
0:25:56
Mhmm.
0:26:22
In the shelter that I'm living at the moment is a a shelter where I'm supposed to be there for 60 days.
0:26:28
And unfortunately, in this shelter, I have experienced a lot of racism, discrimination because of my national origin.
0:26:55
Okay.
0:26:57
There is also a lack of information in that shelter.
0:27:01
Something that happened to me, was supposed to receive an immigration interview, for you're familiar with the immigration fingerprints.
0:27:10
When you go to the immigration and you had to scan your hands, basically, they gave me my immigration letter, but I received the letter 4 days after my fingerprints interview, and this letter was already too late.
0:27:44
Okay.
0:27:45
And and what happened, because of this mistake they made, I had to wait 3 more months in order to get another fingerprints interview with the US Department of Immigration Office, and this delayed my immigration case.
0:28:00
Also, every time I go to that shelter, I had to remind them sorry.
0:28:04
They had to remind me all the time, then 2 weeks I had to leave, then 2 weeks I had to leave.
0:28:08
Continue.
0:28:26
I'm a little afraid, oh, because what is happening right now to all of you.
0:28:31
You know we have a new president is going to start in January, President Trump.
0:28:36
And I'm very afraid because I don't know what's going to happen with me and he had to miss this day your classes because of this.
0:29:31
I just want to do the right things.
0:29:33
That's why I'm asking for all your help because I just don't want to live in fear all the time.
0:29:39
I don't want to live to live afraid of every every everything.
0:29:43
I just want to live in peace and that's why I'm asking for your help at the moment.
0:29:49
Okay.
0:29:50
Okay.
0:29:50
This is everything what I wanted to say now.
