New York City will cut key services for newly arrived migrants starting June 30, 2025, citing a lack of additional state support. Mayor Eric Adams’ administration confirmed that taxpayer-funded legal assistance, help with work permits, job placement, and English classes will no longer be offered at migrant shelters across the city.
Why is NYC Ending Migrant Services?
The Adams administration says the city has been shouldering the bulk of migrant-related expenses and requested another $1 billion from the state in the latest budget cycle.
However, Governor Kathy Hochul declined, arguing that the city has not yet spent over $2 billion already allocated by the state and pointing to a 95% drop in weekly migrant arrivals compared to the year before.
With no new state funding approved, New York City will begin winding down its migrant case management program by the end of June.
“We are disappointed in the state’s decision,” said Liz Garcia, a spokeswoman for Mayor Adams. “We’re still caring for more than 38,000 migrants, but without more support, we’re forced to make tough choices.”
Services Being Cut
After June 30, case management services at migrant shelters will stop, including:
- Assistance in finding legal aid
- Help applying for federal work permits
- Support for job placement
- Access to English language classes
This follows the closure of several migrant welcome centers earlier this month, also due to budget limitations.
Federal Funding Also Slashed
Complicating the city’s situation further, the Trump administration clawed back $188 million in federal grants last month, claiming misuse of funds. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the funds were being accessed by Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang allegedly using the Roosevelt Hotel as a base of operations.
The Adams administration has filed a lawsuit, accusing the federal government of illegally withdrawing funding vital to the city’s migrant aid efforts.
NYC’s Spending on Migrants
Since 2022, New York City has spent an estimated $8 billion supporting over 230,000 migrants, with about 37,000 still in city care today. The city has used both local and state funds, but officials argue the burden is unsustainable without ongoing support from both the state and federal government.
Governor Hochul’s Response
Gov. Hochul’s office maintains that the city has access to unused state funding and insists that a decline in migrant arrivals does not justify additional allocations. “The governor will continue partnering with City Hall to address their responsibility to provide shelter to new arrivals,” said Hochul spokesman Avi Small.