In coming months, and years, Buffalo will be a city that welcomes refugees with open arms, as it has done in the past. It’s one of the reasons that this city finally has a growing population. It’s also the reason that we have become more culturally diverse, as our neighborhoods teem with residents who have relocated to this city from all corners of the planet.
Earlier today, New York State Senator Sean Ryan, Assemblymember Jon Rivera, and Buffalo Common Councilmember David Rivera came together to discuss the future of refugees in Buffalo. With the current political turmoil in Afghanistan, as well as countries such as Haiti (experiencing a humanitarian crisis due to an earthquake and political turmoil), refugees will continue to turn to Buffalo as a safe haven, as they flee their embattled and broken home countries.
The local statesmen were joined by representatives from Catholic Charities of Buffalo, The International Institute of Buffalo, Jewish Family Services of Western New York, and Journey’s End Refugee Services, all of whom are preparing for enhanced resettlement roadmaps to guide the process of welcoming potential new settlers. Along with the need for housing, job training, childcare, eduction, and quality of life amenities, comes a need for enhanced state and federal funding to properly acclimate the refugee families via resettlement programs. The federal government has already allocated $1.8 billion in recent federal funding, to help refugee-centric community health centers throughout the nation, such as Jericho Road.
Since Buffalo is one of 19 cities available to Special Immigrant Visa holders resettling in the United States, there is a call for preparedness that is being voiced by the community. Due to its low cost of living, and it’s past record of being a hospitable city for refugees, there is no doubt that Buffalo will be viewed favorably by many of the 30,000 Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders currently requiring evacuation from Afghanistan.
“With the many thousands of Afghans expected to seek refuge in the United States in the coming months, we must continue to support our local refugee resettlement agencies to ensure that our community is ready to welcome them with open arms,” said Senator Sean Ryan, who worked to establish New York’s Enhanced Services to Refugees Program in 2017, and this year fought to secure a record $3 million for the program. “Our region has benefited greatly from its vibrant refugee and immigrant communities, and it’s imperative that we maintain our role as a leading community for displaced people in New York State.”
Officials are urging the public to donate grocery gift cards and toiletry items to Jericho Road and other local resettlement agencies to assist with the anticipated influx of newly arrived families from Afghanistan.
“We are standing at a critical juncture in our community’s history. While we look toward the future with hope and celebrate our city’s growth, we grieve alongside those facing persecution around the world, especially in Afghanistan,” said Eva Hassett, Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo. “We stand in solidarity with those here in Western New York who are hoping and praying for safe passage for their loved ones. We must be clear-eyed about our moral obligation to expand our capacity to welcome refugees to the United States and to Buffalo and be ever mindful of the powerful positive impact that welcoming the foreign-born to Buffalo has on our communities, neighborhoods, and economies. We are grateful for the tremendous leadership we have at the local and state level. Now more than ever, we must reaffirm our commitment to welcoming new refugees, supporting refugee and immigrant-owned businesses, and working to make Buffalo a welcoming and inclusive community for all. We have deep faith that this community will continue to show refugees and immigrants that Buffalo truly is the City of Good Neighbors.”
According to the New American Economy, immigrants contributed $258.8 million in state and local taxes to the Buffalo metro area in 2019.
“Whether it’s foreign policy decisions that lead to humanitarian crises or the continuation of extracting non-renewable resources from the Earth, which in turn contributes to extreme weather events and subsequent migrations, Buffalo is well-positioned to accept refugees and integrate them into our community,” stated Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera. “The most recent census data shows how integral immigrants are to our city and how they have been the impetus for our first population growth in 70 years. With our proximity to a fresh water source and our excess capacity in infrastructure, Buffalo is perfectly placed to continue its renaissance well into the future.”
Buffalo Common Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski said, “The City of Buffalo has a long history of welcoming new Americans into our neighborhoods; it’s in our DNA. And their impact is substantial, both culturally and economically. According to the New American Economy, immigrants contributed $258.8 million in state and local taxes to the Buffalo metro area in 2019. This money is reinvested in schools, infrastructure, health systems, and other public services that continue to aid in their transition to our region – and from which we all benefit. It is in our city’s best interest to prioritize investments which support refugees and displaced families, and help them become Buffalonians!”
Lead image: Photo by Markus Spiske