Should migrants who arrive in the U.S. be eligible to work?

As a sanctuary city, New York city has drawn large numbers of migrants seeking refuge. Since last spring, New York city has taken in about 100,000 asylum seekers. An influx that large would put a strain on any city and the Big Apple is reaching its limit. As NYC Mayor Eric Adams put it “Our compassion may be limitless, but our resources are not.“

Sheltering 100,000 people, while compassionate, is still a daunting task that is seeing tent cities being utilized in some cases and people sleeping on the streets in others. Some groups are calling for a fast-track to work authorization for migrants which, in theory, could help alleviate the resource strain that the city is facing.

Asylum seekers admitted into the US have to wait a minimum of 180 days – often much longer – before being authorized to work, preventing them from earning to support themselves and their families amid limited access to public services and, in the latest crisis, scenes of migrants forced to sleep on the streets of midtown Manhattan.

As it stands now, with no changes or additional support, this crisis is projected to cost NYC about $12 billion dollars over the next three years which could have consequences for the city and its residents. That extremely large and unexpected outlay could further exacerbate the city’s problems. Poll results released earlier this year found that 50% of New York City workers don’t earn enough to fill their basic needs which could have them relying on public assistance. Allowing migrants work permission earlier might help the budget shortfall.

What do you think?

Additional:
Migrant shelter pushback in NYC. What is the solution?

As City Nears Arrival of 100,000 Asylum Seekers Since Last Spring, Mayor Adams Lays out Updated Costs if State and Federal Governments do not Take Swift Action

Report finds 50% of New York City working-age households don’t earn enough to meet basic needs

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