Governor Kathy Hochul these days equipped an replace on brief coverage standing packages for Venezuelan asylum seekers and migrants. In New York State, greater than 2,800 packages had been finished since eligibility for TPS used to be expanded final month. Today’s replace builds on the State’s present $50 million dedication for casework and criminal services and products, which the Governor introduced in September. In overall, greater than 4,800 paintings authorization packages and greater than 2,800 TPS packages had been finished prior to now 45 days.
“Migrants and asylum seekers got here right here to paintings, and we will remedy this disaster by means of getting them into strong jobs and unbiased residing,” Governor Hochul said. “I’ve directed my Administration to offer vital sources and enhance to assist as many migrants and asylum seekers as imaginable reach criminal paintings standing. We have greater than 450,000 open jobs in New York — as soon as a migrant or asylum seeker can legally paintings, they are able to depart brief shelters or resorts and start a brand new existence.”
New York State’s Office for New Americans has identified 805 Venezuelans who were relocated to Upstate hotels by New York City. All members of this group have been counseled by state contracted local nonprofits and nearly 90 percent of those eligible have filed or are in the process of filing TPS applications. Specifically, 621 TPS applications have been filed and an additional 85 are in process.
Governor Hochul has also assigned Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos to coordinate legal services with New York City. The State has identified locations for the federal team as well as supported expanded services across New York City. This builds on the ongoing work occurring at the State funded, City run, Asylum Application Help Center.
Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “We know that the recent new arrivals have come to this country to improve their lives and the lives of their families, Whether individuals are seeking refuge, a better job, or a safe home, the State of New York has welcomed generations of individuals who respect our laws and are trying to make a better life. The Department of State’s Office for New Americans, has seen the positive benefits and contributions immigrants make to the communities across the State of New York. Under the Governor’s leadership, the State and our Office for New Americans and its partners will continue working toward making sure there is opportunity for all.”
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “DEC is proud to play an integral role on Governor Hochul’s multi-agency team helping migrants and asylum seekers transition to safe and secure livelihoods here in New York. DEC’s staff are experts in managing complex operations and have been thrilled to apply that experience to helping migrants realize the American dream through work authorizations, legal protections, and employment assistance.”
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership New York State has stepped up and stepped in to help newly arrived asylum seekers do what they can to gain legal work authorization. These efforts not only benefit each family who gains legal protection and work authorization but helps NYC decompress it’s shelters by helping migrants live independently.”
Responding to New York’s Migrant Crisis
Governor Hochul has identified work authorization as the path out of this crisis, allowing migrants and asylum seekers to leave taxpayer-funded shelters and begin living independently as generations of immigrants have done. After months of advocacy from Governor Hochul and a broad coalition of political, civic and business leaders, the White House announced plans to grant Temporary Protected Status to individuals who arrive in the United States from Venezuela on or before July 31, 2023; the City of New York estimates this will allow more than 15,000 Venezuelan individuals to attain legal work status within 30 days.
Additionally, the Governor has surged personnel and resources to case management, to help migrants and asylum seekers fill out the necessary paperwork to attain legal work status. This includes deploying 250 National Guard personnel assigned to full-time case management services, part of a deployment of more than 2,100 National Guard personnel to address this ongoing situation. The Governor has also deployed significant financial resources to support case management, including $38 million for the city for case management and legal services; $20 million allocated to local nonprofits serving asylum seekers and migrants; $20 million to help New York City with a casework surge thru NYC Health + Hospitals; $10 million for migrant criminal services and products.
Governor Hochul has led a powerful state reaction to this disaster. Overall, the State has dedicated just about $1.9 billion to enhance asylum seekers and migrants, together with for safe haven, transportation and social services and products; the State lately complicated $250 million to the City for those functions. The State has additionally introduced up a couple of State-owned websites, corresponding to the previous Lincoln Correctional Facility in Manhattan and Building 197 at JFK Airport, for use as shelters; the State may be masking the price of a couple of Humanitarian Emergency (*45*) and Relief Centers (HERRCs) at Creedmoor Psychiatric Facility and on Randall’s Island.