NYC Comptroller requests waiver of immigrant work permit fees.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is urging the federal government to take action and expedite work authorizations for undocumented immigrants by waiving application fees.
Speaking to PIX11 News on Sept. 13, Mr. Lander, a Democrat, highlighted the influx of immigrants crossing the southern border and settling in New York. He emphasized that this surge, among other factors, is projected to create a $12 billion budget deficit for the city as it struggles to keep up with the growing population.
Furthermore, the city is expected to spend over $4 billion this year alone to provide shelter and services for these immigrants.
These remarks follow Mayor Eric Adams’ statement last week that the ongoing immigration crisis will “destroy New York City” and his acknowledgment that there seems to be no end in sight.
Days later, Mr. Adams announced potential budget cuts of at least 5 percent across all city agencies to balance the budget. He attributed the need for these cuts to the “convergence of circumstances threatening New York City’s financial stability” and the city’s responsibility to bear the majority of costs associated with the asylum-seeker humanitarian crisis, all while experiencing slowing revenue growth.
However, Mr. Lander emphasized that immigrants should not be blamed for New York’s budget shortfalls. He pointed out that the city has previously granted significant raises to its workers and that COVID-19 stimulus funding is coming to an end. He believes it is now time for the city to address the budget gaps head-on.
‘Let’s Not Scapegoat New Arrivals’
“Two-thirds of our budget gaps don’t have anything to do with asylum seekers,” Mr. Lander said. ”Let’s address our budget gaps, but let’s not scapegoat new arrivals who have come here just like my family did as Jewish immigrants or from the Philippines or from India or wherever people came from.”
“The best thing we can do to get these costs under control is help people get those work authorizations and move out of shelter, that’s what’s expensive,” he continued.
Mr. Lander proposed that approximately $30 million could assist around 30,000 families currently in shelters to apply for asylum and work authorization, significantly reducing the city’s expenses.
“You file your asylum application first, that you can do for free but people don’t get that much help with it,” Mr. Lander explained. “Your work authorization application costs $410. The federal government could waive that fee. Why are we charging people $410 and we haven’t even let them work yet?” he continued.
Hochul Considering Granting State-Level Work Permits
Mr. Lander concluded that while he appreciates the federal government’s assistance thus far, more coordination and funding from Washington is necessary to support New York.
These remarks come shortly after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul urged President Joe Biden to provide the state with housing, support, and work authorization for undocumented immigrants.
In a letter to President Biden on Aug. 24, Governor Hochul argued that expediting work authorizations for undocumented immigrants would enable them to integrate into communities more quickly.
Approximately 100,000 immigrants have arrived in New York City over the past year, prompting Governor Hochul’s administration to allocate $1.5 billion in state aid to address the influx.
Recently, Governor Hochul mentioned that the state is considering granting immigrants state-level work permits, bypassing federal law and eliminating the 180-day waiting period for work permits after applying for asylum.
The details of this program are yet to be determined.
“I spoke about this at the White House,” Governor Hochul said.
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