In a major policy move, New York City has announced the closure of several migrant “welcome” centers after Governor Kathy Hochul declined to approve an additional $1 billion in state funding. These centers were set up to support the tens of thousands of migrants who have arrived in the city over the past two years.
Why the Welcome Centers Are Being Closed
Mayor Eric Adams’ administration blamed the closures on the lack of new financial support from the state. In a statement, a City Hall spokesperson said they had no choice but to shut down three major centers — located in the Bronx, Times Square, and the West Side of Manhattan — due to budget limitations.
The city had requested more funds from the state’s $253 billion budget to continue housing and helping migrants. But the request was turned down by the Hochul administration, leading to difficult decisions for the city.
How Much Has NYC Already Spent?
Since early 2022, more than 230,000 migrants have arrived in New York City, and the city has spent nearly $8 billion on their housing and support. At present, around 37,000 migrants are still under the city’s care.
The city also says the welcome centers have been vital in helping with over 109,000 application processes, including asylum and public services. Now, with no new funds, these services will be scaled back.
What Did Governor Hochul Say?
Governor Hochul’s office defended the decision to not provide more money. Her spokesperson explained that weekly migrant arrivals have dropped by 95%, and the city still has over $2 billion in unused state funds available from past allocations.
The statement said, “This is why no new funding was added in this year’s budget. The governor remains committed to working with the city to provide shelter and support for migrants.”
Federal Funds Also Cut by Trump Administration
Adding to the pressure, the Trump administration recently withdrew $188 million in federal grants given to New York City for migrant care. This includes $59 million in direct grants and $21.5 million for migrant housing, originally approved during the Biden administration.
City officials responded by filing a lawsuit, accusing the Trump administration of illegally pulling back funding already awarded.
Previous Closures and Political Criticism
This is not the first welcome center to be closed. In February, the city shut down the Roosevelt Hotel Arrival Center in Midtown Manhattan. That facility became the center of controversy, with figures like Elon Musk and the Trump administration criticizing the city for using “luxury hotels” to house migrants at taxpayer expense.