New York City is broadening a program that provides migrant families with debit cards to buy food and baby essentials. This initiative, which began around three months ago under the Adams administration, was initially tested with a small group of families residing in city-run shelters. The pilot started at three hotels, benefiting about 3,000 people. Now, the program is expanding to distribute 7,300 pre-paid cards to more families in need.
Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, Anne Williams-Isom, expressed that this program empowers newly arriving families by allowing them to make their own purchasing decisions. She stated, “They can buy from local shops, support small businesses, and manage their own resources. When we empower people, we help them achieve self-sufficiency and access the American Dream.”
The pre-paid credit cards are intended to replace the food boxes previously given to asylum seekers staying in hotels. This change has been well-received by many, including Julie Cifuentes, a mother of three who has been staying at the Anchor Inn in Queens. Cifuentes mentioned that the food provided at the hotel is often not fresh, and she frequently has to buy food outside. She hopes to receive one of the cards this time around to buy fresh food for her family.
The cards provide a 28-day allowance for families to purchase groceries and baby supplies. Since its launch on June 16, the program has helped 900 families. The city reports that the cards are significantly more cost-effective than delivering food boxes to hotel-staying families, saving over $598,000 so far and projected to save approximately $4 million by the end of the year.
However, not everyone supports this program. Some argue that it burdens New York taxpayers and incentivizes more migrants to come to the city. Council Member David Carr voiced his concerns, saying, “We have no obligation to house, feed, or clothe these individuals. The city’s actions are creating incentives for these migrants to come here.”
Despite the controversy, the expansion of the debit card program aims to provide migrant families with more autonomy and better access to fresh food and baby essentials, contributing to their journey towards self-sufficiency and integration into the community.