A group of several dozen migrants joined liberal Democrat politicians in New York City on Thursday to protest for even more government benefits for “newcomers.”
The activists demanded increased spending, including an extra $109 million for free legal services for immigrants, $5 million for language services, $25 million in support for two city programs for undocumented immigrants, and an end to policies that evict migrants from shelters after a certain period.
New York Mayor Eric Adams visits with asylum seekers taking shelter at James Madison High School, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Jan. 9, 2024. (Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office via AP)
Council Member Alexa Avilés urged New York Mayor Eric Adams to boost spending for migrants, stating, “Our priorities remain crystal clear: legal services, transfer schools, language justice, and more.”
Council Member Shahana Hanif, who supports permanent free housing for migrants, emphasized that New York City should focus on providing “quality education, good jobs, adequate healthcare, and dignified housing, reflecting our unwavering commitment to building a city that uplifts all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status and no matter when they arrived.”
Hanif further stated that the recent influx of migrants are “our new neighbors” who face “roadblocks … when accessing housing, employment, and education.”
This is the sense of entitlement that @NYCMayor created. Citizens of other countries believe that American citizens struggling to pay to keep a roof over their heads are responsible for housing them indefinitely. https://t.co/78EvFCidud
— Office of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (@RepMalliotakis) April 16, 2024
“Access to a quality education, a good job, housing, language services, and healthcare, rather than austerity and marginalization, is what all New Yorkers need to get on the road to self-sufficiency,” he stated. “As we welcome our newest neighbors to our great city, we are urging the Mayor and City Council to continue its fight for immigrant and working New Yorkers.”
Migrants have been increasingly voicing their concerns that they are not receiving enough free aid, food, housing, and educational and legal services. In April, hundreds of African migrants protested outside New York City’s government seat demanding more financial support and benefits.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks, joined by New York City Mayor Eric Adams. (John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Last week, a news outlet in Rochester, New York, interviewed a migrant who expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the city and state had not fulfilled their promises to migrants.
Despite this, New York City already allocated $1.45 billion to address the migrant issue last year and might spend up to $12 billion over the next three years.
This year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul successfully passed a $237 billion budget, which includes an additional $2.4 billion for migrant-related spending.
