Dear New Yorkers,

Immigration is a boon for New York City’s economy. That’s what the numbers say.

As my office has reported, immigrants are more likely to work, start a business, and contribute billions of dollars into our New York economy in spending power and tax revenue. They don’t take jobs away from people who are already here. In fact, they help power a growing economy that has more jobs overall.

These facts are further supported by a new report my office released last week, which analyzes New York State’s Access to Representation Act, sponsored by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz.

Our findings?

Not only would providing legal representation to New Yorkers in immigration proceedings enable tens of thousands of individuals to stay in their communities – it would likely generate billions of dollars for the economy.

In fact, we estimate that just the asylum seekers currently living in City shelters could earn a collective total of over $470 million each year, enabling many of them to move out of shelter and help their neighborhoods thrive.

Rather than evicting asylum seekers and families from shelter just 30 or 60 days after they’ve arrived, investing in legal services, workforce development, and case management is the most cost-effective, compassionate approach to helping immigrants get on their feet, move out of shelter, and find employment.

Investing in immigration legal services could bolster New York City’s bottom line by keeping workers in the workforce, getting new arrivals work authorization, keeping families together and providing pathways to upward mobility. Read our new report about the economic benefits of immigration legal services.

I’m grateful for the Adams Administration’s increased efforts to provide legal services to new arrivals. The clinic that the City conducted this winter processed an estimated 15,000 recently eligible TPS applications. Funded by New York State in partnership with the federal government, it's a promising model to build upon. So is the Asylum Seeker Application Help Center, which assists new arrivals who are not eligible for TPS.

But this is an “all hands on deck” moment. Six months ago, I reached out to the Mayor’s Office with an idea: What if we organized philanthropies to raise funds to support community groups, nonprofits, religious congregations, and mutual aid groups who are helping new arrivals with the kind of grassroots support that the City can’t provide?

I am glad to report that this idea has become reality with Robin Hood and the New York Community Trust (NYCT) spearheading the coordinated effort. In partnership with City Hall and my office, Robin Hood and NYCT will help raise money from foundations and donors to help New Yorkers rise to meet this ongoing humanitarian crisis.

With strong partnerships between government, philanthropy, businesses, religious groups, nonprofits, and everyday New Yorkers (including asylum-seekers themselves), we can help our newest New Yorkers get the paperwork they need, move out of shelter, and get on their feet…

…And keep New York City thriving as the greatest immigrant city the world has ever seen.

Thanks,

Brad