Senator Ramos Issues Statement on Suicide Death of Asylum Seeker in NYC Shelter System

In response to reporting that an asylum seeker died by suicide in the NYC Shelter system, State Senator Jessica Ramos (D, SD13) issued the following statement:

"It is an indictment of the highest order that this woman, seeking refuge, arrived in New York City and was so overcome with hopelessness that she decided to end her life. Her act was a direct response to the lack of care provided by the City. New York is equipped to welcome and care for people - we have a public hospital system that does not turn anyone away based on immigration status or ability to pay, and we have generations of New Yorkers whose families share an immigration story with the people arriving in our city now, and a strong network of community-based organizations with active members ready to step up and provide support. There is no excuse for a failure of this magnitude. One suicide on this administration's watch is serious on its own, but when you also consider the recent suicides on Rikers and last week's vague statement that the City needs to reconsider our Right to Shelter laws, it is not clear that this administration is taking the responsibility it has to people in its care seriously."