Mayor Eric Adams’ office announced on Tuesday, November 28th, that New York City has established two additional state-funded Asylum Application Help Centers for asylum-seeking migrants.
With the opening of these centers, the city now boasts three sites, with another center slated to open at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Situated in Harlem and lower Manhattan, these new facilities join the primary center at the American Red Cross headquarters in Hell’s Kitchen.
The newly opened centers are staffed with immigration attorneys and application assistants, allowing asylum-seeking migrants to schedule consultations.
This initiative is a part of New York City’s plan to integrate thousands of migrants into the local workforce and reduce the strain on shelters.
The establishment of these centers is a key element in the state’s $2 billion commitment to addressing the ongoing migrant crisis, which has severely impacted both city and state finances for nearly two years.
In a statement, Mayor Adams highlighted the city’s ongoing efforts to support asylum-seeking migrants and called for increased federal assistance.
“While we continue to call for a national strategy to solve a national crisis, New York City continues to do its part to support asylum seekers,” Adams remarked.
He added, “In the absence of that national strategy, New York City continues to lead — building out the legal and resettlement infrastructure needed to address this crisis. We hope the federal government will join us in these efforts and finish the job they started.”
