New York Governor Calls for Expedited Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers

NEW YORK, New York – New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams have called for expedited work authorization for asylum seekers who have been arriving in New York City from the country’s southern border states on an almost daily basis.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and NYC Mayor Eric Adams shake hands during their press conference. (Photo courtesy of Don Pollard/Office of the Governor)“They’re eager to work. They want to work. They came here in search of work and a new future, and they can become part of our economy and part of our communities, and people are ready to start training them right in facilities like we have here today,” Hochul told a news conference with Adams.

“I took note of the Statue of Liberty in Ellis Island as I came here… a reminder of my teenage grandparents who fled great poverty in Ireland over a century ago. Their children, eight children packed into a tiny house, became business leaders, school superintendents, educators, and a granddaughter even became a governor.

“That’s what happens in one generation, one generation. People’s lives are transformed, they are changed. That is the story of New York. And let us have the power to give that same right, that same opportunity to people,” the Governor added.

Adams said 5,800 asylum seekers arrived in New York City from the southern border states last week.

“Those are factual numbers; they’re not made-up numbers. And we are seeing the week before, 4,200. Just in one location alone, we had over 800, not only by buses, through the airports, through cars, through every mode of transportation.

“Our administration has accurately reported the information to the best of our ability to partner with the governor’s office to monitor and to address this crisis. If these asylum seekers cannot work, if they cannot work, it is going to be a major impediment and interruption in the pursuit of that dream,” Adams said.

“So, we are calling on the White House, the United States Department of Homeland Security to ensure our newest Americans can work lawfully and build stable lives for themselves in our country.”.

Adams said Washington must redesignate and extend Temporary Protective Status, also known as TPS and that the federal government must also expand and extend access to humanitarian parole for asylum seekers already in the United States.

“These asylum seekers came here looking for the American dream, a chance to work and build successful lives. Let’s give them a fighting chance at making this dream a reality.”

The New York City Council said it has reiterated the need for expedited federal work authorization for asylum seekers.