Parksville

To the editor:

On my drive into Liberty on Saturday, August 5, I noticed a line of men lined up in front of the former McCabe’s Pub. I parked my car and spoke to some of these individuals (in Spanish). They were put on a bus in NYC whose destination was Liberty. They were not told where they were going nor what or where they were going from Liberty. They were fed in NYC, used the bathroom on the bus, and had very few personal articles on them. 

There was no welcoming committee of [NYS Assemblywoman] Aileen Gunther, [Legislative Chair] Robert Doherty, [Republican Chair] Greg Goldstein, [Liberty Supervisor] Frank DeMayo, any clergy, Catholic Charities, or this newspaper to greet them.

I questioned to myself as what happens to them now. What happens if they have to go to the bathroom, when will they eat again, and when will they know where they are going. I also pondered as to whether their migrant status and current situation removed their status as human beings. 

In following up to this blatant human tragedy, I contacted local elected officials and Catholic Charities only to be given finger pointing. The one “breath of fresh air” was the response of Deputy County Manager Michelle Huck, who was genuinely concerned about their situation.

I am not a proponent of the current migrant/immigration policy of the current federal administration or that of the previous one, but a “wake up” call is needed to effectively address this issue.

At the local level I suggest a meeting of all involved so as to develop an effective standing in the event of future occurrences.