Rockland Legislator Aron Wieder On Hand To Assist Asylum Seekers in New York CIty

Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder helped welcome newly-arrived immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S., providing food, footwear, toiletries and more as they arrived in New York City after a long bus ride from Texas.

“I’m born in the U.S., but I too am an immigrant as I give back in honor of my grandparents,” Legislator Wieder said. “They arrived in this country as immigrants and experienced a warm welcome. I wanted to be here to extend that American welcome to the immigrants arriving today.”

Legislator Wieder joined Masbia Soup Kitchens & Masbia Relief Executive Director Alex Rapaport and other volunteers in welcoming the immigrants – many carrying their belongings in small plastic bags and some with no belongings at all.

“We’re happy to help those who are in need – and right now, that need includes food, water, shirts, shoes, toiletries, and other basics,” Masbia CEO Rapaport said. “Thankfully, America is a country that has enough to give and gives when it’s most needed.”

In addition to the Masbia volunteers, the asylum seekers were met by representatives of nonprofits and the City of New York, including the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro. The immigrants arrived at Port Authority just after sunrise Sunday, including individuals and families. Masbia is accepting donations to aid immigrants: https://www.masbiarelief.org/asylumseekers.

Legislator Wieder and Masbia CEO Rapaport personally greeted many of the immigrants, with numerous signs in English, Spanish and Hebrew also offering words of welcome.

“It’s sad to see all of these unfortunate families – men, women and children, come here with nothing but the clothes on their backs and some of them not even wearing shoes,” Legislator Wieder said. “I’m glad I was able to help in some small way and I hope they know they truly are welcome here in New York.”