NYC expands asylum application assistance centers amidst national migrant crisis

NEW YORK, November 28, 2023 — In response to the ongoing national asylum seeker crisis, Mayor Eric Adams announced the expansion of the Asylum Application Help Center, demonstrating the city’s commitment to supporting thousands of asylum seekers pursuing the American Dream. This expansion, funded by the state, includes the launch of two satellite sites dedicated to assisting asylum seekers in submitting applications for asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and work authorization.

As the city faces the challenges of managing the migrant crisis without a comprehensive federal strategy, Mayor Adams has also convened a Resettlement Working Group. This group will collaborate with national refugee resettlement organizations and municipalities across the country to explore and expand resettlement options for asylum seekers.

The Asylum Application Help Center, a resource that has already aided thousands of asylum seekers, will now be augmented with satellite sites. These sites aim to streamline the application process for asylum, TPS, and work authorization, crucial steps toward achieving employment and independence.

Mayor Adams emphasized the city’s role in addressing the crisis, stating, “While we continue to call for a national strategy to solve a national crisis, New York City continues to do its part to support asylum seekers. For over a year, we have asked the federal government to put forward a resettlement strategy, expedite work authorizations for asylum seekers, and provide New York City with much-needed and meaningful financial support.”

The city’s efforts to assist asylum seekers in transitioning from shelter to alternative housing have shown progress, with over half of asylum seekers finding alternative accommodations. The Resettlement Working Group aims to build collaborations with national organizations and municipalities, aiming to address declining populations and enhance resettlement options.

Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack praised the Asylum Application Help Center, stating, “These satellite sites will allow us to process even more applications, getting asylum seekers one step closer to work authorization and self-sufficiency.”

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom highlighted the impact of the city’s efforts, saying, “We continue to do our part as a city, and we thank the federal government for their support with work authorizations — but more federal support is needed to help asylum seekers transition more quickly to independence.”

Since its inception this summer, the city’s help center has supported the filing of over 7,200 asylum applications, 2,900 work authorization applications, and nearly 2,900 TPS applications. The addition of satellite sites is expected to further increase the processing capacity. The city has played a pivotal role in assisting asylum seekers, filing over 16,000 applications in recent months.

The Resettlement Working Group, consisting of city officials, is focused on learning from best practices across the country and the world. The group will also engage with leaders of cities dealing with large influxes of asylum seekers and those in need of individuals to fill vacant jobs.

As New York City remains at the forefront of addressing the humanitarian crisis, the city plans to pursue a 20 percent reduction in spending on the migrant crisis in the Fiscal Year 2024 Preliminary Budget, to be released in January 2024.