Immigration

BP Gibson Hosts Kick-Off Event to Mark the Beginning of Veterans Appreciation Month in NYC

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, in partnership with her office’s veterans advisory council, NYC Department of Veterans’ Services, Worldwide Veterans and Family Services, and the Sam Young American Legion Post 620, hosted a Veterans Appreciation Month kick off event to honor and celebrate Bronx veterans from all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces on Wednesday, Oct. 29. As reported, the recognition in New York City of November as Veteran Appreciation Month began in 2023. Prior to that, just one day was marked to honor New York City’s veteran community.

UPDATE Relief Drive Launched in Bronx for Victims of Hurricane Melissa as Jamaican Consul General to NY Dies

By SÍLE MOLONEY
State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36), chair of the Bronx Democratic Party, was among the New York elected officials who recently issued statements on the devastation caused to the island of Jamaica after it was recently hit by Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane later made its way to other Caribbean islands, and according to various media reports as of Oct. 29, 30 people had died across Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic as a result of the category 3 hurricane.

University Heights: Sepúlveda Presents $50,000 Check to NMIC Nonprofit to Support Bronx Families

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In the face of imminent federal cuts, as reported, State Sen. Luis R. Sepúlveda (S.D. 32) presented a check for $50,000 in funding to the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), during a formal ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at NMIC’s University Heights-based Bronx office, in what the senator’s team said was a recognition of NMIC’s “invaluable community work and dedication to the progress and well-being of families in Upper Manhattan and The Bronx.”

An Overview of Puerto Rico’s Political Status and Future

By GENE ROMAN
Puerto Rico’s political future is never far from the minds of its citizens and in recent months, its political status has, once again, been the subject of debate. Puerto Rico (the “Island”) is a territory of the United States. The U.S. acquired the Island from Spain in 1898, and it has belonged to the United States ever since. In 1917, Puerto Ricans became U.S. citizens. Everyone born in Puerto Rico is a citizen of the United States, but Puerto Rico is not a state; it continues to be a territory.

Member of Norwood-based Running Group “Bronx Nomads” Detained by ICE

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Sebastian Flores, a member of Norwood-based running group, Bronx Nomads, who frequently meet and start their runs at the Williamsbridge Oval park, was unexpectedly detained by border patrol at an airport on Oct. 13 while traveling for work from New York to El Paso, Texas, and is now being held in ICE custody, according to his cousins. A gofundme page has since been set-up to help with his legal expenses as he fights his case and has been shared by Bronx Sole, an affiliate group of Bronx Nomads.  

UPDATE Mamdani Asks Voters to Reject Islamophobia & See Him as Candidate “Fighting for Every Single New Yorker”

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Democratic mayoral nominee and still the frontrunner according to the latest polls, Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (A.D. 36) was back in The Bronx on Friday, Oct. 24, for another press conference, this time, held outside the Islamic Cultural Center of The Bronx, located at 371 E 166th Street, north of the Melrose section of The Bronx, as he asked voters to reject tired Islamophobic tropes and reiterated that he aims to be a mayor “fighting for every single New Yorker.” Members of the press corps included international media outlets from the UK (BBC), France and Germany.

Former NY Gov. & Mayoral Candidate Andrew Cuomo Visits Wakefield Mosque on Campaign Tour

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Former New York governor and independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo, 67, paid a visit to the Masjid Ansarudeen Islamic Center in the Wakefield section of The Bronx on Saturday, Sept. 20, to meet with members of the mosque and “discuss issues important to the community.” The former governor has received heat for allegedly not having visited a mosque during his tenure as governor though he disputes this.