Mayor Adams to end controversial migrant debit card program amid growing criticism

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has decided to end a pilot program that provided prepaid debit cards to migrants housed in city shelters, a move that has sparked significant debate. The program, which issued preloaded Mastercards to migrant families at the Roosevelt Hotel intake center, was aimed at covering essentials like groceries and baby supplies. Families of four received approximately $350 per week.

The initiative, launched in March and funded by a $53 million, one-year contract with New Jersey-based Mobility Capital Finance, faced scrutiny for bypassing the city’s usual competitive bidding process. As the contract nears its expiration, Adams’ administration has opted not to renew it. “As we move towards more competitive contracting for asylum seeker programs, we have chosen not to renew the emergency contract for this pilot program once the one-year term concludes,” Adams’ office said in a statement.

The prepaid card initiative, which distributed an estimated $3.2 million to 2,600 families, was designed to reduce costs and food waste by offering migrants flexibility in purchasing food rather than providing pre-packaged meals. Officials argued that the program was more cost-effective than traditional meal services, but it faced mounting criticism as a strain on city resources.

City Comptroller Brad Lander, in response to the program, revoked the city’s ability to make emergency contracts for migrant services, further intensifying the backlash. Meanwhile, figures from ABC7 reveal a continuing influx of migrants, with 700 new arrivals each week, though 1,000 are leaving during the same period.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Mayor Adams reiterated New York City’s commitment as a sanctuary city, even as he expressed a willingness to collaborate with President-elect Donald Trump on addressing the migrant crisis. “New York City will always remain a city of immigrants and the beacon of liberty around the globe,” Adams said. “We will work with the new administration and Congress to develop a realistic and compassionate national strategy for our immigration system.”