New York City Tells Migrants ‘You Are Better Off’ Somewhere Else

New York City is preparing to disseminate informational flyers to migrants residing in shelters and those at the US southern border. These flyers convey a stark message that the city’s resources “have been exhausted” and the city is unable to provide assistance in securing employment. Officials announced this initiative on Wednesday.

The one-page flyer, available in both English and Spanish, warns asylum seekers that “you will not be placed in a hotel,” and that “NYC is one of the most expensive cities in the world; you are better off going to a more affordable city.” The flyer also declares “NYC cannot help you obtain a work permit, and you will not be able to easily find work.”

This move to discourage migrants from relocating to New York City is the latest endeavor to curb the substantial influx of around 100,000 individuals who have arrived since the spring of 2022. This surge has overwhelmed the city’s shelter system and strained its finances. Notably, the city incurs a daily cost of $387 for each migrant family it shelters, and it estimates that the total expenditure for migrant care will reach $12 billion by mid-2025.

Interestingly, these flyers appear to be in contradiction with recent plans announced by both the city and state to aid asylum seekers in pursuing legal work opportunities. Collaborating with state and federal authorities, New York City is conducting a comprehensive survey to identify eligible individuals for asylum and work permit applications. In June, the city inaugurated a legal clinic to assist migrants with their application processes.

New York’s unique right-to-shelter policy has acted as a magnet for many migrants, and they, in turn, are encouraging their relatives to join them in the city. Mayor Adams has initiated legal challenges against this provision, which mandates that the city offer shelter to anyone lacking housing. Recently, he also announced a reduction in the duration of stay for adult migrants in shelters, from 60 to 30 days. Currently, the city is responsible for the welfare of over 60,000 migrants.

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York disclosed plans to deploy an additional 150 National Guard personnel to help survey migrants and ascertain their legal status. She also mentioned collaborative efforts with the Department of Labor to facilitate the matching of eligible asylum seekers with available job opportunities, addressing the need for tens of thousands of job vacancies.

{Matzav.com}