More and more people are fleeing their home countries to seek refuge in the U.S. In just the last year, around 140,000 asylum seekers have made their way to New York.
Andelina left her home country of Belize for America in June of 2022 on her own at age 36.
“I was going through a lot of things at home. I was going through a domestic violence, so therefore, there was no other choice for me than to move away,” Andelina said.
Leaving behind her family and friends, Andelina packed up her life and began her journey, which first brought her to Louisiana.
What You Need To Know
- Andelina left her home country of Belize for America in June of 2022 on her own at 36 years old, came to New York and was approved to work
- Daniel Woodham, a caseworker at the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network, said many new arrivals often find work washing dishes, landscaping, house cleaning or in construction
- A recent Siena College poll showed 46% of New Yorkers view migrants as an economic burden, with 54% saying the recent influx of migrants to the state is a very serious problem
- Woodham said the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network is seeing 35 to 40 new families at its food pantry each month, developing new programs and working to improve systems to better assist as immigrants
“It was hard to move, really difficult for me to move. I was like, way farther from the city, and the livelihood was totally different,” Andelina said.
Andelina eventually found her way to New York, and was legally approved to work. She currently does kitchen help at a restaurant.
“I feel a little, like, scared at the same time, but I was brave enough,” Andelina said.
Daniel Woodham, a caseworker at the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network, a nonprofit that helps immigrants, said many new arrivals often find work washing dishes, landscaping, house cleaning or in construction.
“Most people don't want those jobs, you know, and so these are the jobs that are available for people because they don't pay much,” Woodham said.
Woodham said the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network is seeing 35 to 40 new families at its food pantry each month. The organization is developing new programs and working to improve systems to better assist as immigrants continue coming to New York.
A recent Siena College poll showed 46% of New Yorkers view migrants as a burden to the economy, with 54% saying the recent influx of migrants to the state is a very serious problem. Woodham feels this is misguided.
“I don't know anybody that was like extremely happy to uproot from their own homes,” Woodham said. “No human is illegal, and we like to say that because people are uprooting for reasons.”
Andelina is thankful to be starting a new year settled into her own apartment with a steady job. She said she dreams of opening her own business one day.
“It's totally different now. I feel like it becomes a home for me. I get to know a lot of people around,” Andelina said.