Res. No. 850

Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.7493, establishing a coordinator for asylum seeker services.

By Council Members Menin, Riley, Hanif, Hudson and Gutiérrez

Whereas, New York City has welcomed over 130,000 migrants and asylum seekers over the last year; and

Whereas, Although roughly 65,000 remain in the care of the city, many have left the shelter system and continue to live in New York City; and

Whereas, Coordination of services for migrants and asylum seekers can be complex, including ensuring they have access to health care, education, and other benefits; and

Whereas, In New York City, this coordination has included multiple agencies; and

Whereas, However, asylum seeker coordination with state agencies and entities has been limited; and

Whereas, Without effective coordination, asylum seekers could be missing out on services and benefits that would improve their lives and increase their independence and self-sufficiency; and

Whereas, A.7493, introduced by Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and pending in the New York State Assembly, seeks to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a coordinator for asylum seeker services; and

Whereas, A.7493 would establish a coordinator responsible for responding to the needs of asylum seekers across the state, including intake, resettlement throughout New York, support services, health care, housing, education, language services, transportation, and accessing federal programs and services; and

Whereas, The coordinator would also be responsible for advocacy for asylum related issues; and

Whereas, A. 7493 stipulates that the coordinator would oversee the integration of services and benefits with the applicable state, federal, and local agencies, including the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Office of Children and Family Services; and

Whereas, A.7493 would apply to migrants who have applied for asylum; and

Whereas, A.7493 would ensure that the state is involved in the leadership and coordination in managing this asylum seeker influx, easing the strain that has been put on the city to manage this influx; and

Whereas, An asylum seeker coordinator would be beneficial to ensure that asylum seekers have access to services and benefits at multiple levels of government; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.7493, establishing a coordinator for asylum seeker services.

LS #14417

11/6/2023

RLB