New York City will provide debit cards loaded with $350 per week for food and supplies to migrant families staying in city shelters.
The program starting with 10 families will expand to around 450 people over the next week.
“I do struggle with why people are being so negative when it comes to providing something so basic for families with children,” said Anne Williams-Isom, deputy mayor for health and human services. “It’s not putting groups against each other.”
Democrat Mayor Eric Adams defended it as helping migrants at low cost while stimulating the local economy.
Some critics fear fraud, abuse, or that it prioritizes migrants over citizens.
A Republican council member agreed many New Yorkers will see it as unfair as residents also struggle financially.
“A lot of New Yorkers are going to take this as something that’s fundamentally unfair,” Republican minority leader Joseph Borelli said. “There are plenty of New Yorkers struggling to pay their bills.”
Recent polling showed immigration surpassing inflation and the economy as the top issue for voters, with 36% of registered voters citing it as their biggest concern.
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