Fleeing Hardship
The South Bronx Experiences
A Historic Surge of Migrants

STORY BY HAZEL ANN ABDON

PHOTOS BY ARWEN POLANCO, ANDREA ORTEGA, NYLAH MYERS + JOSHUA CAPOTE

Published Dec 2023

Their presence in New York is making the city’s already existing lack of housing worse. As a result, city officials claim that there is an escalating crisis that will cost $12 billion over three fiscal years to New York’s taxpayers. According to Mayor Adams, the cost of supporting recent immigrants is leading to massive budget cuts to schools, libraries, and police recruitment. He recently stated that “Our compassion may be limitless, but our resources are not.”

New York City is handling this historic migrant crisis by providing 200 emergency shelters where families can sleep and receive referrals for healthcare and education enrollment. In September 2023 an estimated 20,000 migrant children were enrolled in city public schools. In addition, 11 Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Centers are now open across all five boroughs to help recent immigrants with a range of services and resources.

Many recent immigrants are also eligible for Medicaid, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus A (CHPlus A). Some other programs help newcomers become eligible for Child Health Plus B (CHPlus B), Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP), and Emergency Medicaid.

Many immigrants say they are coming to New York seeking asylum from dangerous events in their home countries. Diana Batioja, a 24-year-old Colombian mother, migrated to the Bronx with her family 15 months ago after her husband was threatened by a gang in her home country. Their journey took 17 days. The family flew from Colombia to Mexico, then rode a bus for 2 days to the U.S. border. Afterwards, they paid a guide, known as a coyote, to smuggle them into the United States.

In New York, Diana and her family are relying on shelters for a place to sleep. Recently however, Diana received a 60-day notice warning her that their time in the shelter is almost over; they may possibly be forced out on the street as Christmas arrives. City officials say that the cost of housing and caring for immigrants is depleting the city budget.

According to Mayor Eric Adams, New York City’s 2024 budget will have a $4 billion dollar shortfall over the next year and a half due to money spent on the new migrants. This has forced administrators to close libraries every Sunday and education officials have announced they are slashing $547 million dollars in school funding; there may be more reductions in coming months. The NYPD has also announced a hiring freeze. Sanitation budget cuts are also rumored.

Communities in the South Bronx are handling this historic wave of migrants with the help of nonprofit organizations such as the Mexican Coalition, which is attempting to provide a lot of resources to low-income immigrants. These resources include food aid, workshops centered around self-care and legal support.

According to Jairo Guzman, the founder of the Mexican Coalition, many who were unable to obtain federal aid benefits seek help from community non-profit organizations. Mr. Guzman mentioned, for example, that these recent immigrants “don’t have easy access to health insurance.” Therefore, his organization provides the immigrants with workshops to identify and prevent illnesses.

A lot of immigrants that reach out to the Mexican Coalition “do not have

authorization to be in the United States,” Mr. Guzman stated. He added that, “We invite lawyers to come to our agency, and then have immigrants consult with an immigration attorney who can provide them with information.” However, many longtime Bronxites resent this new wave of immigrants. Numerous people interviewed in recent weeks on the streets of the South Bronx said that newly arrived immigrants are increasing competition for housing and job opportunities.

Alejandro, who was selling toys for kids on 3rd Avenue and 149th street, said he immigrated to New York 20 years ago. He said that the recent immigrants have made it difficult for him to find jobs in New York City. “Well, right now there are no jobs. So many immigrants are arriving that they are taking away our jobs. They keep telling me that there are no jobs and then I have to make an effort to go out and sell to survive.”

A woman street vendor, selling shoes and toys on the sidewalk near Lincoln Hospital, said she had immigrated to the Bronx 29 years ago. She also finds that the newly arrived immigrants make it impossible to obtain jobs. “They are taking people’s jobs. I feel betrayed that the recent immigrants are receiving better treatment. I had to start from scratch.”

However, many recent immigrants also find their lives difficult in New York, with few job opportunities and expensive housing.

On a cold winter night, at the corner of 151 St. and Walton Ave in the Bronx, a family of three from Colombia had recently arrived at the PATH DHS shelter in New York. They were covered in layers of clothing, carrying their only child, Sofia, and struggling with suitcases. Alex, the father, said he had been tortured by Los Urabeños, a large criminal organization, and his brother was murdered by this same gang.

“We came here because we would be killed otherwise”, Tatiana said as she and Alex held five-year-old Sofia. “We are at a starting point in creating our life again. Beginning again is complicated and even more difficult with children. So we are starting.”