NYC making it easier for migrants to get benefits, housing: report
New York City officials have recently made it easier for illegal aliens to acquire a city residency ID card, which in turn facilitates their access to housing and free healthcare, according to reports. This move comes as City Council members, backed by Mayor Eric Adams, approved a change that opens up 23 additional types of IDs that immigrants can provide to obtain a New York City residency card.
Some of the newly accepted forms of identification include an expired driver’s license, documents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and approximately 100 other forms of identification. This change aims to make it more accessible for immigrants to obtain an IDNYC card, which was first introduced by former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration in 2015 to help migrants access various services such as free healthcare, enrollment in school, and opening bank accounts.
The IDNYC program is open to all New Yorkers who are 10 years and older, regardless of their immigration status. Since its inception, nearly 1.7 million people have obtained the ID card, with over 132,000 IDs issued last year alone. While some critics, like Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, have raised concerns about the lack of vetting and potential misuse of the IDs, city officials maintain that they rigorously vet applicant backgrounds for criminal issues.
In a recent Op-Ed, Mayor Adams highlighted the importance of immigrants in shaping New York City’s diverse community and emphasized his administration’s commitment to supporting asylum seekers. He mentioned that the city faced an “unprecedented influx of asylum seekers” in 2022, and his administration’s efforts have assisted over 189,100 migrants in pursuing self-sufficiency. Adams also noted that the city purchased over 53,000 tickets to help asylum seekers reach their preferred destinations, reducing long-term costs for taxpayers.
As part of the city’s ongoing efforts to assist new arrivals, the Roosevelt Hotel migrant shelter in Manhattan, which housed about 1,000 migrants, will be closing down in the coming months. This decision marks a significant milestone in the city’s response to the influx of migrants seeking asylum. Mayor Adams expressed confidence in New York City’s ability to continue supporting migrants and emerge stronger from the crisis.
The New York City Department of Small Business Services has connected migrant populations to job opportunities, while other initiatives like direct outreach, resource fairs, and onsite English as a Second Language courses at shelters aim to provide comprehensive support to asylum seekers. Mayor Adams believes that the city’s compassionate and resourceful approach will set an example for the nation and ensure that New York City remains a beacon of hope for people from around the world to build a new life.
