At Jericho Road Community Health Center, we’ve long held a strong belief: that Buffalo is truly the “City of Good Neighbors.” But in these challenging times, it’s more important than ever for us to reflect on what that really means. As national policies shift, particularly with recent changes to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, our city’s response will test whether we continue to uphold the values that have made our community a haven for refugees and immigrants.
Our very own Matt Tice, the director of asylum-seeker programs at Jericho Road, recently shared his thoughts in an article published by The Buffalo News, which delves into the impact of these policy changes on the refugee and asylum-seeker populations here in Buffalo. With the recent suspension of refugee admissions into the United States, many individuals who rely on programs like those we provide at Jericho Road and VIVE are feeling uncertain and anxious.
But Matt is quick to remind us that, as a community, we are resilient—and Buffalo has always been a place that welcomes those in need.
He says it best: “We’re here for one another.”
Despite the federal uncertainty, Jericho Road and VIVE are committed to continuing the critical work of offering shelter, legal support, and community resources for refugees. These are people who have experienced unimaginable trauma, and they have come to Buffalo seeking safety and a chance at a better life. They want to contribute to the community, to be good neighbors themselves, and it’s our job to make sure they’re welcomed and supported.
Excerpt from The Buffalo News article, “Trump’s suspension of refugee admissions concerns Buffalo’s VIVE, which vows to ‘continue to stand with people’”:
Global Refuge President and CEO Krish O’Mara Vignarajah said in a statement that the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program “represents the gold standard of legal immigration pathways in terms of security screening, community coordination, and mutual economic benefit.”
“Refugees undergo rigorous vetting, including multiple background checks by national security agencies, before ever setting foot on American soil,” she said. “Their integration is coordinated through close collaboration between federal agencies, local stakeholders, and nonprofit organizations, including many faith-based groups, positioning them to quickly become vital contributors to their new communities.”
We can all play a role in this. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply showing kindness, it’s up to all of us to live up to Buffalo’s legacy of neighborliness.
To learn more about the current situation and how you can get involved, we encourage you to read the full Buffalo News article, which features insight from Matt Tice and others on the frontlines of this issue. Click here to read the full article.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss ways you can contribute, feel free to email us at [email protected]
In the face of uncertainty, the strength of our community is what will carry us through. Let’s continue to show the world that being a good neighbor means standing by those who need it most.
