New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday the termination of a highly criticized program that provided illegal aliens with taxpayer-funded debit cards for food purchases. The decision marks a significant shift in the city’s approach to handling the surge of asylum seekers and comes just days after President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to mass deportations once he takes office in January.
In a statement, Adams’ office explained, “As we move towards more competitive contracting for asylum seeker programs, we have chosen not to renew the emergency contract for this pilot program once the one-year term concludes.” The program, which gave millions of dollars to illegal aliens housed in taxpayer-funded hotels, allowed recipients to buy food of their choosing with city-provided debit cards.
Reports indicate that a typical family of four received several hundred dollars per week through the program, sparking outrage among critics who argued that it was an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds. The announcement of the program’s end comes as Trump’s victory puts renewed pressure on cities to address illegal immigration.
Elon Musk’s America PAC highlighted the news on X, noting, “NYC Mayor Eric Adams announces end to program that gave debit cards to illegal immigrants less than 48 hours after Donald Trump’s victory.” The timing suggests that Adams may be pivoting his policies in response to Trump’s win and the president-elect’s tough stance on immigration.
BREAKING: NYC Mayor Eric Adams announces end to program that gave debit cards to illegal immigrants less than 48 hours after Donald Trump’s victory
— America (@america) November 8, 2024
Trump spoke to NBC News on Thursday, addressing his plans for border security and the future of immigration under his administration. “We obviously have to make the border strong and powerful, and at the same time, we want people to come into our country,” Trump said. “I’m not somebody that says, ‘No, you can’t come in.’ We want people to come in.”
However, Trump was clear about his intentions to prioritize safety and national security, particularly when it comes to deporting dangerous individuals. “It’s not a question of a price tag. It’s not — really, we have no choice,” Trump stated firmly. “When people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries, they’re going to go back to those countries because they’re not staying here. There is no price tag.”
Adams’ decision to end the debit card program signals a notable policy shift in New York City, which has long been seen as a sanctuary city. With Trump set to take office, local governments may face increasing pressure to reconsider policies perceived as incentivizing illegal immigration. Trump’s recent positive remarks about Adams could indicate an alignment on certain issues, suggesting that the mayor may be adjusting his stance in anticipation of the incoming administration’s hardline approach.