Anxious immigrants in New York are reportedly abandoning medical check-ups and food assistance programs, according to advocates.
In the heart of America's most diverse city, a mental health crisis is unfolding. The renewed immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump is reshaping daily life for thousands of immigrant families in New York City.
Amidst the fear of deportation, language barriers, and immigration concerns, domestic violence survivors find themselves with nowhere else to turn. A Korean immigrant woman without legal status, for instance, was terrified to call the police due to fear of deportation. Similarly, children of immigrants are worried about attending school due to the fear of their parents being detained while they are away.
The Arab American Family Support Center has seen an 80% surge in requests for mental health assistance in recent months. Councilmember Alexa Avilés criticized the Adams administration for a lack of appropriate services to address immigrants' mental health needs. Avilés was "incredibly frustrated" by the failure to address critical needs, such as long wait times for the city's suicide and mental health crisis hotline, called 988.
Mayor Eric Adams, testifying at the city council, assured that his administration's first priority for detained immigrants has been connecting them with legal services. However, Avilés and other advocates argue that mental health services are equally important.
The Adams administration has expanded Know Your Rights trainings to the largest in the nation. The city spreads this message through flyers, social media, events, workshops, and roundtables with ethnic and immigrant media outlets. Mayor Adams has been clear that no New Yorker, regardless of their documentation status, should be afraid to use resources.
In response to the criticism, the mayor's office issued a statement defending their work in ensuring the safety and well-being of immigrant New Yorkers. The Adams administration has invested $120 million in free immigrant legal services and created the new Office to Facilitate Pro Bono Legal Services.
However, the numbers paint a stark reality. Over 3,300 immigrants have been arrested since January 20, a 56% increase over the same period last year. As of early March, about 43,000 asylum-seekers were staying in city shelters. Immigrant New Yorkers are forgoing doctors' appointments, failing to report domestic violence, and doing without public benefits such as food stamps out of fear of immigration enforcement.
The hearing centered on the mental health needs of immigrant New Yorkers, which advocates said have multiplied with the surge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests. The Adams administration officials urged families to continue sending their children to school, accessing medical care, and calling 911 in emergencies.
As the city navigates these challenging times, it remains crucial to address the mental health needs of its most vulnerable residents. The Adams administration must continue to invest in resources and services to support the mental health and well-being of immigrant New Yorkers.
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