NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – An additional 150 New York National Guards will assist in managing New York City's ongoing migrant crisis, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Monday.
With the extra help, the total number of personnel will be over 2,000, including 250 assigned to specifically help asylum seekers with their paperwork and cases.
"It is critical that we help secure work authorization for asylum seekers and migrants in New York," Hochul said. "We need to ensure individuals can navigate the paperwork necessary to get them established here so they can work and start making their American Dream a reality. Our National Guard members play a huge role in assisting in the process and we are grateful for their service."
This announcement came as Mayor Eric Adams shared that the time adult asylum seekers are allowed to stay in shelters has been reduced by half on Friday.
Asylum seekers coming to an arrival center for shelter for the first time will now get 30-day notices. Before this, they were allowed to stay in shelters for 60 days.
"For over a year, New York City has stepped up while waiting for the substantial help necessary from federal and state partners to comprehensively address this crisis and support the tens of thousands of asylum seekers in our care, and today's announcement is another step in our efforts to help asylum seekers take the next step in their journeys," Adams said.
New York City has taken in more than 116,000 asylum seekers since last spring. The city currently has 60,000 migrants in its care.
Officials hope the increase in help, along with the $50 million the state has already spent, will enable asylum seekers to fill out the necessary paperwork and work legally, leading to many leaving shelters paid for by taxpayers.
