NYC migrant crisis: City council urges increased funding for asylum seekers

Increased funding for migrants

FOX 5 NY's Briella Tomassetti has the story.

NEW YORK CITY - City Council Majority Leader Keith Powers, as well as four other members, were in Washington, D.C. this week making their case regarding the migrant crisis.

"This is a really urgent moment, so we want to make sure that we’re pitching in and talking about what we need right now," Powers told FOX 5 NY in a Zoom interview.

NYC houses of worship to house migrants

New York City has announced that 50 churches and houses of worship across the city will open their doors and set up beds to house migrants, as the city continues to struggle to deal with the influx of new arrivals from the border.

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Councilwoman Gale Brewer spearheaded a letter sent to President Joe Biden, urging the White House to fast-track work permits for asylum seekers. It has signatures from dozens of city and state representatives.

"That’s a really big one, making sure that we can get these people to work, but obviously, funding is the big question here as well," Powers added. "We know FEMA is gonna be releasing funding soon. We want to make sure a lot of it comes to New York City because we have such a high need."

Migrant crisis: NYC council heads to D.C.

New York City Councl members are taking their case for more funding in the migrant crisis straight to lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

According to the latest numbers from City Hall, over 74,000 migrants have arrived in the city since last spring – 47,000 asylum seekers are currently living in 162 emergency hotels, shelters and other locations.

The crisis shows no signs of slowing down, with the city projected to spend more than $4.3 billion on migrant-related issues through July 2024. That, in turn, may lead to additional budget cuts across other departments.

Mayor could pay residents to house migrants

Mayor Eric Adams said he's open to paying private homeowners to put up asylum seekers. FOX 5 NY's Raegan Medgie has the story.

Mayor Eric Adams had recruited faith leaders to open up their churches, synagogues and mosques to those in need, and now, he’s floating the idea of asking private homeowners to do the same.

RELATED: Mayor explores paying homeowners to house asylum seekers
RELATED: 50 houses of worship to soon host hundreds of migrants

The mayor mentioned during a recent press conference he would even be open to sheltering migrants at Gracie Mansion.