Representatives Adriano Espaillat, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Congressional Delegation Champion Asylum Seekers Amid Protests

"We are facing a critical moment in the nation, and we are standing in solidarity in our fight to support new arrivals and welcome migrant families." - Rep. Espaillat 

Delegation Photos

NEW YORK, NY – Today, following a member delegation led by Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), members issued the following joint statement after their assessment tour of New York City facilities designated to support and house recently arrived asylum seekers.

"Since Spring 2022, New York City has welcomed around 110,000 migrants and has opened over 200 emergency shelter sites to support these new arrivals. What we are witnessing in New York City is happening in communities around the nation, and we must address this crisis head on to ensure federal support of newly arrived families," said Members. "Today's congressional trip served to organize members of Congress as we continue our collective efforts to urge for additional federal resources, extension of TPS, and work authorizations to support migrant families with the humanity and dignity they deserve."    

Espaillat and Ocasio-Cortez were joined by Reps: Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Nydia M. Velazquez (NY-07), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Rob Menendez (NJ-08) and Mike Quigley (IL-05). 

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fourth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 118th Congress. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Deputy Chair as well as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). Rep. Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at [email protected]