New York City has been sending asylum seekers to neighboring towns upstate. In many, hostilities against migrants is rising, and local non-profits find themselves ill-equipped to deal with the influx.
Article by Jasmine Garsd. Photo editor Virginia Lozano
Juan Carlos, newly arrived to Albany after being bussed to various cities in the US, poses for a portrait Thursday morning. Juan Carlos, from Nicaragua, volunteers with these local non profits - getting to know the community and find work.
Mitch poses for a portrait in a plot of land that has a community garden and the product pick up initiative. Mitch is connecting newly arrived migrants with community outreach and job opportunities, noting that they are helping each other mutually in a time of need.
Peter Crummey, the town supervisor, poses for a portrait in his office in Colonie. He filed a lawsuit against Mayor Adams of New York City for bussing newly arrived migrants to his town.
Micky Jimenez, Executive Director of Capital District Latino, poses for a portrait in the repurposed church where CDL resides in Albany. Micky teared up talking about individuals and their stories, and the overwhelming need she and her volunteers see every day.
Darlín, Carlos, and Jose pose for a portrait in the courtyard of Capital District Latino in Albany. They all stay in a hotel in downtown Albany and became friends when they were bussed upstate. While they all have their different reasons for emigrating, now they just want to be settled and work. Together, they hope to open a restaurant in town.
Birds fly through the parking lot of a mall in Rockland County on Thursday afternoon. Rockland County is made up of smaller villages and towns, with a relatively large immigrant demographic. The town commissioner, Silvestri, has two lawsuits filed related to the bussing of migrants upstate from New York City.