New York City is feeling the brunt of the United States policy supporting migrants. Mayor Eric Adams has repeatedly asked for support from President Joe Biden and he has been met with little to no response since Texas bussed migrants here last summer.
Now providing support to over 40,000 migrants, Mayor Adams continues to search for answers to address this problem. Funding and space for housing are low, so now Adams moves in another new direction.
On Tuesday, June 20, Mayor Adams announced the Asylum Application Help Center to help support migrants. The expected cost is $5 million.
Mayor Adams said in a written statement:
“The Asylum Application Help Center will assist the asylum seekers in New York City through the complex federal immigration process, bringing them one step closer to being eligible for work authorization and the ability to support themselves.”
“We must act swiftly to ensure the well-being of the thousands of migrants whose deadline to submit an asylum application is fast approaching, and this center will help us do that.”
The Asylum Application Help Center will see migrants by appointment only from Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. The location for the center is in the American Red Cross Greater New York headquarters in Midtown Manhattan.
Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom added:
“Legal services are a critical next step in the city’s approach to support people seeking asylum as they work to achieve independence.”
“The city is making important investments in the Asylum Application Help Center in partnership with a number of private sector partners. Thank you to all the firms, legal professionals, and everyday New Yorkers that are and will be a part of this effort. Ultimately, if we all work together with a national strategy for a national issue, we can address this humanitarian crisis.”
