Englewood Cliffs mayor says he'll work with Biden administration to welcome Ukrainians

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS — New Jersey is home to one of the nation's largest Ukrainian communities, and leaders across the state are expressing their support for accepting refugees.

Last month, Gov. Phil Murphy wrote a letter to President Joe Biden stating New Jersey's willingness to accept refugees from Ukraine. This week, Englewood Cliffs became the latest municipality to show its support for refugees.

“Over 2 million women and children have fled Ukraine in pursuit of refuge and safety, and in Englewood Cliffs, we are working with community leaders to support any refugees who come to our community," said Republican Mayor Mario Kranjac.

The United Nations estimates that more than 4 million people, mainly women, children and the elderly, have fled war-torn Ukraine. It is believed to be the largest forced migration in Europe since the Second World War. More than half of all Ukrainian children are now displaced, the U.N. says.

Kranjac said that if New Jersey is chosen to house refugees, Englewood Cliffs would be "prepared to coordinate a plan with community leaders, the state government and the federal government," with details of that plan released in the coming weeks.

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Kranjac was not available Tuesday to give further information about what type of support he envisions.

Murphy offered to shelter Ukrainian refugees seeking sanctuary at McGuire Air Force Base in Trenton. The governor opened the state to evacuees fleeing the "cruel and illegitimate invasion" in a letter to Biden that further asked him to immediately issue temporary immigration protections to Ukrainians who have already arrived in the U.S.

Across North Jersey, volunteers, congregations and organizations are soliciting donations and providing aid for refugees. Some groups have embarked on humanitarian missions to the Ukrainian border while others, like the Islamic Center in Paterson, in coordination with the Ukrainian Orthodox Holy Ascension Cathedral in Clifton, have been collecting non-perishable items from schools and residents. Restaurants across the state have also shown solidarity by refusing to serve Russian vodka.

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"There are refugees from all over the world, and we have to start to welcome refugees," said Jon Moscow, co-chair of the Northern New Jersey Sanctuary Coalition. "It's both morally and ethically the basis of every religion and every humanist kind of approach."

Moscow and his team consist of religious congregations, human rights organizations and other groups and people who provide humanitarian support and advocacy for political asylees. As municipalities prepare for a potential wave of incoming refugees, Moscow said, the best way is to offer government services and essential care.

"That means that you help make sure that people have a place to stay, whether it's possible in people's homes, an Airbnb or hotels. People need a place to stay," Moscow said. "They need access to medical care, access to schools and to adult education, which is also something that everybody needs."

New Jersey is home to roughly 57,600 people of Ukrainian ancestry, according to 2019 U.S. census data.

Jessie Gomez is a local reporter for The Record and NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: jgomez@gannettnj.com

Twitter: @jessiereport

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Englewood Cliffs NJ wants to welcome refugees from Ukraine