Amid an unprecedented immigration challenge, New York City has sustained substantial fiscal outlay to assist undocumented immigrants battling expulsion orders. Budget data substantiates that vast numbers of undocumented immigrants have converged on the city over recent years, compelling the city’s management to allocate billions towards food, housing, transportation, and other state-sponsored services. Notably, New York City’s permissive sanctuary city laws render it an appealing destination for numerous immigrants lacking official documentation.
The influx of illegal immigrants has put significant pressure on resources, pushing the city to implement stringent measures. One such measure adopted was a decrease in the period of stay at shelters. Additionally, Mayor Eric Adams was forced to announce broad 5% budget cuts across all sectors in September 2023. This decision came as a response to the deepening crisis residents were facing, although funding for certain services remained relatively steady.
Despite these general budget cuts, there has been consistent provision of financial support for a specific cause — pro-bono legal assistance for immigrants slapped with deportation orders. Fiscal data discloses that in 2022, 2023, and 2024, New York taxpayers funded the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP) with respective amounts of $17,350,000, $16,600,000, and $16,600,000.
The NYIFUP is a collective of lawyers who lend their expertise gratis to non-citizens involved in immigration processes. While many non-profit organizations that help immigrants receive funds from the city, NYIFUP stands apart, specializing in representing non-citizens under detention by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
By offering gratis assistance to every detained non-citizen independent of their criminal records, it’s possible that taxpayer money is being used to support immigrants facing charges or convictions for severe crimes, now battling their removal orders.
A sense of frustration over the disturbing number of violent felonies allegedly committed by illegal immigrants led a handful of council members to propose a legislative change aimed to retrograde city’s sanctuary principles in June. Yet, the city’s existing policies forbid the local police department from offering aid or collaboration with ICE in widespread circumstances. Despite exertions from Mayor Adams and others lobbying for changes, the effort to reverse the sanctuary city status proves to be a formidable task in a city governed by liberal politicians.
New York City has borne the national immigration challenge rather heavily. City officials are bracing for the costs of caring for asylum seekers to cross the staggering sum of $12 billion by the end of fiscal year 2025.
Mayor Adams, once a stern proponent of affording a warm reception to those residing in the country without proper documents, has since reconsidered his stance. His shift to a more centrist position, driven by the escalating crisis, has been further fueled by press stories increasingly profiling immigrants involved in criminal activities.
Highlighting this shift, Adams recently met with the forthcoming border czar, Tom Homan, in December. The meeting saw the two officials exchange views on a spectrum of issues related to immigration, with Adams hinting at potential enhanced cooperation in future dealings.