Hochul, White House announce some progress on work authorization for migrants

The Hochul and Biden administrations have agreed to some measures to help New York manage the ongoing migrant crisis — specifically a program that would help some migrants get authorized to work as they wait for their immigration cases to be processed.

In a prepared statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she met with senior members of the Biden Administration for more than two hours Wednesday in the West Wing of the White House, where they focused “on a number of immediate and tangible actions,” including a program to help recent arrivals sign up for work permits.

“It is the only way to help asylum seekers become self-sustaining, so they can move into permanent housing,” Hochul said. “I am especially pleased that the federal government has agreed to provide personnel, data, and resources to identify the thousands of individuals in New York who are already eligible, but have not yet applied, for work authorization.”

The White House also sent out a summary of the meeting. The key issue, according to both administrations, is that some migrants don’t know they are eligible to work, or aren’t aware of how to go through the process to get a permit. According to White House data, roughly 20% of migrants who indicated they were destined for New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania are eligible for work permits immediately — but research indicates that many of them may not know how to apply. More than 100,000 migrants have shown up in New York City alone over the past year.

To close that gap, the Biden Administration said it will work with Hochul on a September “month of action” across New York State, aimed at better informing migrants about their work options through email and text in a variety of languages, according to the White House.

Teams of personnel will also be deployed to help support the newcomers as they navigate the process, and federal agencies — including the Departments of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Interior — will work in partnership with New York State to identify what the migrants need most.

The White House called the effort part of a “first-of-its-kind national campaign” to get the message out to migrants across the country.

According to data from the Biden Administration, only about 16% of working-age migrants enrolled in a new phone app from Customs and Border Protection have actually applied for work permits.

Migrants interviewed by Gothamist have said they are eager to work to start supporting themselves and their families. Many have canvassed city restaurants and small businesses to find opportunities, but have not had much luck.

One Senegalese man, who identified himself only as Moris, said he didn't like spending time in shelters and was hopeful of finding a job.

“I don’t feel comfortable,” Moris said. “I will feel comfortable after I start working.”

Hochul cautioned that the program is “not enough to fully address this crisis.”

Mayor Eric Adams has been begging the White House to loosen work regulations for migrants and is expected to hold a rally with union leaders Thursday morning.

Arya Sundaram contributed reporting.