We represent a cross section of faith leaders, lay activists and volunteers  who have been working with asylum seekers from the moment these men, women and children disembark from buses and airplanes until they have submitted their asylum applications and received work authorization and beyond. 

Our objectives are the same as those of people in government: 

- to welcome new arrivals into our City and State;  

- to see them appropriately sheltered;  

- to provide housing vouchers so they can move out of shelters; 

- to expedite work authorization;  

- to provide education and health services; and 

- to provide legal and pro se assistance with asylum applications. 

We want to work as allies, in partnership with government, to best achieve  these objectives.  We will hold ourselves accountable for being available to work on these issues, and we will hold our elected and appointed officials accountable for doing what we expect them to do.  We want to hasten the day when these new New Yorkers can become self-sufficient members of our communities.   

In particular, the areas which we believe are most critical to realizing that goal are:  

a thoughtful arrival and welcome process;  

a more strategic approach to housing;  

greater support for schools with large immigrant enrollments;  

an accelerated work authorization system;  

easier access to legal assistance;  

increased coordination among levels of government; and  

full transparency regarding funding and decision 

making.  

Each of these areas is discussed in greater detail in the body of our covenant (found here), and in what follows, specifying what each is responsible for.