This week, at the direction of Texas’ Republican Governor Greg Abbott, buses of asylum seekers and immigrant families arrived unannounced at transit hubs across New Jersey. In response to the uncoordinated drop offs and reactions from local officials, New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) releases the following statement.
Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst, NJPP:
“This is a humanitarian crisis created by Republican governors who are using asylum seekers and immigrant families to score cheap political points. We have to remember that, regardless of where someone was born or what their immigration status is, these are human beings who possess inherent dignity and basic human rights.
“Ideally, the federal government would play a more active role in coordinating the relocation of immigrants, but that shouldn’t stop New Jersey from doing the right thing for families fleeing hardship and seeking safety.
“New Jersey has a rich history of welcoming immigrants, and this is an opportunity for us to embody our values of fairness and inclusivity. When we say that hate has no home here, this is more than just a saying. It’s about supporting the most vulnerable among us and focusing on solutions rooted in solidarity, not xenophobia or bias.”
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