Rockland Lawmaker Helps Immigrants Bused From Texas

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder helped welcome one of several busloads of newly-arrived immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S. this week, providing food, footwear, toiletries and more to those who arrived in New York City Sunday after a long bus ride from Texas.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began transporting people to NYC earlier this month — saying he was using the migrants to exert pressure on Joe Biden's administration — after spending months shipping thousands of asylum-seeking migrants from the Texas-Mexico border up to Northern cities like Washington, D.C.

"I’m born in the U.S., but I too am an immigrant as I give back in honor of my grandparents," Wieder said of his volunteer work. "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."

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,” 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 asylum seekers.

Wieder and 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," 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.”

On Wednesday, more immigrants arrived, many needing medical attention as well as basic belongings. SEE: Baby Hospitalized After Ride To NYC With Migrants Bused From TX: BP