NEW YORK (WABC) – The city is preparing to open a 24-hour arrival center for asylum seekers, where migrants can get help accessing a range of services, including legal services.
Mayor Eric Adams made the announcement Tuesday morning.
The location will replicate services provided at the Port Authority Bus Terminal last summer, as well as services now provided at the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center (HERRC).
During a City Council hearing Monday, Adams said city services are already being impacted by the amount of money being allocated to help asylum seekers without additional help from the federal government.
Spending may be increasing, but New York will receive no more federal money this fiscal year.
The city spends about $364 a day on each migrant family, which is about $4.6 million in one day.
About one billion dollars has been allocated in the state budget to help with the migration crisis. New York will receive a portion of the $8 million in federal funding from FEMA, but the city has not yet applied for the money.
Adams argues that’s not enough when projections show the city could spend $1.4 billion on the migration crisis this fiscal year and double that next fiscal year.
“We need a real decompression strategy. We need help from the federal government, help from the state. I obey the law. And I am sure that there is no one who would order me to break the law,” said Adams.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration is considering reinstating a policy that detains migrant families who cross the border illegally. A DHS spokesperson says no decisions have been made as they prepare to withdraw Title 42.
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