OSSINING, NY —Open Arms for Refugees brought a diverse group of speakers to Market Square on Wednesday to highlight the impact of a wrongly emailed letter the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sent to more than 900,000 people, including local asylum seekers, claiming they must “self-deport.”
“Do not attempt to remain in the United States – the federal government will find you,” the letter reads. The message threatens criminal prosecution, civil fines and other penalties for those who do not comply, despite many recipients having legal bases to remain in the United States.
One such recipient, M. (name withheld), received the email while in attendance at this year’s Volunteer New York! Volunteer Spirit Awards, moments after watching a friend receive an award for her work to support immigrants like M. and others fleeing Afghanistan.
Ted Buerger, Co-Founder and Lead Coordinator of Open Arms for Refugees, was sitting with M. at the time.
“I saw her face turn pale, her joy for her friend replaced with panic,” Buerger said. They were able to confirm with an attorney that M. was not subject to summary deportation because she had legally filed for asylum.
Volunteers from Open Arms read perspectives from recipients of the letter, who stayed away from the event for fear of being targeted by DHS for speaking out. One such testimony said, “That day was very terrible and dark for me. When I received the email from DHS telling me to leave the United States, I felt completely upset and broken. It was really hard to deal with emotionally — I lost all my motivation and couldn’t focus on anything. It felt like everything was falling apart.”
Rev. Todd Farnsworth of Briarcliff Congregational Church, who spoke at the event, wove spirituality and neuroscience together in his remarks about the psychological impact of the letter. He noted how specific lines seem tailor-made to trigger a response from the amygdala, the brain’s primary “fear center,” particularly for people like refugees, who have experienced violence and other severe forms of trauma.
Rev. Farnsworth called on those assembled to urge leaders to “reconsider this cruel policy and instead make room for healing.”
State Assemblymember Dana Levenberg, a co-founder of Open Arms, reminded attendees that current law pertaining to refugees developed in response to the persecution and displacement that took place during and after World War II. Levenberg’s mother, who survived the Holocaust as a hidden child in the Netherlands, came to the United States as a refugee during the postwar period.
“As we commemorate Yom HaShoah today and tomorrow, I call on everyone to pay attention to the signs that we are about to repeat the mistakes of the past,” said Levenberg. “America can and should be a beacon of safety and hope, but this letter is causing despair. For us to say that we are going to send the most vulnerable people back to the most dangerous places in the world is completely unacceptable. The Department of Homeland Security must do better.”
She called for passage of state legislation ensuring a right to representation in immigration proceedings, the Access to Representation Act, and encouraged attendees to call their state representatives for this.
Karin Anderson-Pozner, director of the Community Law Practice at Neighbors Link, discussed the legal aspects of the message.
“This notice is unlike any I have seen issued by the immigration services in this country in my 25 years of practice. It looks like spam,” she said. She added that it went to people’s emails and phones with no reference to the person for whom it was intended and without a signature indicating the sender. She highlighted the fact that the message was sent to many people to whom it could not possibly apply, including US citizens and permanent residents.
“DHS needs to make clear that they will respect the law and people’s rights,” Buerger said. “We are a nation of laws, not threats and bullying. Preying on people’s fears, their desire to abide by the law, with inadequate time to respond, is morally indefensible.”
Westchester’s congressmen were unable to attend the event but sent statements of support.
Congressman Mike Lawler (R-17th District) said: “I share the concerns of Open Arms for Refugees, local faith leaders, and advocates regarding the alarming Department of Homeland Security letter that has caused confusion and fear among asylum seekers and others with legal rights to remain in the United States. Such miscommunication undermines trust and stability for vulnerable communities.”
Congressman George Latimer (D-16th District) said: “I want to express my continued support for organizations like Open Arms, Hearts & Homes for Refugees, and Neighbors for Refugees in their efforts to resettle refugee families in our area, particularly those to whom the United States owes a debt of gratitude for their service.
“I will continue within my power to assist this community in helping America’s friends abroad find safe haven, and together, we will do our utmost to keep alive the principles of a freedom loving people who are accepting, value human dignity, and recognize the clear advantages of being able to live and prosper together.”
