Trump’s Barrage of Restrictions, Bans and Fees Strike Fear in Buffalo’s Migrant Community

This interview with JRS/USA President Kelly Ryan was conducted by Jerry Zremski of The Buffalo News

Full interview here

Amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on both illegal and legal immigration, migrant and refugee servicing organizations across Buffalo echo the same sentiments: Fear is widespread among newcomers to the country, need is greater than ever and resources are dwindling.

The Trump administration suspended the refugee resettlement program, which has brought thousands of people to Buffalo, on its first day in office in January. Then earlier this month, Trump announced a travel ban for people from 19 countries, including Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), Somalia and Yemen – the native lands of many immigrants who now live in metro Buffalo. And Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” would further curtail legal immigration by imposing huge fees for many people who want to settle in America.

Adding it all up, Dr. Myron Glick, CEO of Jericho Road Community Health Center, notes a pattern. While Trump has welcomed white refugees from South Africa, he’s shutting the doors to people of color from other nations.

“This just reinforces a stereotype against the newcomers who are people of color or of a different faith background, that isn’t based in fact at all, and it’s not helpful,” said Glick, whose health center primarily serves Buffalo’s immigrant communities. “And it’s actually harmful, not only to the people who can’t come, but to the people who are here.”

The Buffalo News reached out to several migrant-led organizations. Officials there all declined to comment out of fear for the safety of their clients.

Continue reading here