New York City is launching a new basic income program that will give away $53 million to migrants who are currently being housed in hotels. The program will provide 500 migrant families with pre-paid credit cards that can be used to purchase food and baby supplies. Each family will receive approximately $350 per month, which is more than what low-income residents receive through the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The pilot program is part of Mayor Eric Adams’s efforts to address the city’s migrant crisis. More than 150,000 people seeking asylum have arrived in New York City from the southern border in the last two years, straining city resources and leading to a billion-dollar crisis.
Program Details
- The pilot program will provide 500 migrant families with pre-paid credit cards.
- Each family will receive approximately $350 per month.
- The money can be used to purchase food and baby supplies.
- All of the migrant families in the program will have to sign an affidavit stating they will only use the cards for their intended purposes.
Controversial Pilot
The program has been met with mixed reactions. Some people support the program, arguing that it will provide much-needed assistance to migrants who are struggling to make ends meet. Others oppose the program, arguing that it is a waste of taxpayer money and that it will encourage more people to come to New York City illegally.
Potential Expansion
If the pilot program is deemed a success, it will be rolled out to all 15,000 families staying in New York City hotels. Mayor Adams’s administration is asking the state for $4.6 billion to cover the cost of the crisis.
Similar Programs
New York City’s pilot program is one of dozens of guaranteed income programs that have been launched across the United States in recent years. These programs are designed to test the benefits of giving direct aid to people who are struggling to make ends meet.
