This groundbreaking announcement, made late Wednesday evening, came in response to vigorous lobbying efforts by New York Democrats before and during President Biden’s recent visit to New York City.
In a picturesque scene, President Biden stands before a statue of a kneeling woman, extending his right hand while addressing a gathering at a Manhattan museum. President Biden and his spouse, Jill Biden, graced a reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Curiously, Mr. Biden made no overt reference to the migrant predicament in New York during his public appearances. However, he held a private meeting with Governor Kathy Hochul at the Met event.
Late on Wednesday, the Biden administration revealed its decision to grant legal residency and employment opportunities in the United States for a period of 18 months to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan nationals who are already in the country.
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This significant move was a direct result of fervent advocacy by prominent New York Democrats, including Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and congressional party leaders. The policy change will directly impact approximately 472,000 Venezuelans who arrived in the United States before July 31. They will be shielded from deportation and exempt from a protracted waiting period typically required for employment authorization.
In a rather uncommon departure from their party’s stance, New York Democrats contended that the city’s social support infrastructure would crumble under the weight of over 110,000 recently arrived migrants unless they were swiftly allowed to work and provide for themselves.
Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security, explained his decision by citing the dire conditions prevailing in Venezuela, which make it unsafe for these individuals to return. However, he underscored that immigrants who entered the country after August would not be afforded such protections and would face deportation if they lacked a legal basis to stay.
In a jointly issued statement, Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries, both leading Democrats in the Senate and House respectively, welcomed this move, hailing it as a “positive step forward.”
The Migrant Predicament in New York City Key Insights: The influx of over 100,000 migrants in New York over the past year has placed immense strain on the city’s shelter system, educational institutions, and finances. The City’s Response: The migrant crisis has stretched the city’s resources to the limit, exerting pressure on local leaders. Recent anti-migrant protests have reached a fever pitch. A Political Challenge: The surge in migrant numbers could potentially be a potent weapon against Democrats in the upcoming elections. “The Daily” offers insights into why. Integration Progress: While politicians grapple with the crisis, some migrants are already assimilating into the city. Experts suggest that, in the long run, this influx could prove beneficial for New York.
The statement by Schumer and Jeffries read, “As a result of this decision, immigrants will be temporarily permitted to work, fill critical roles, and support their families while awaiting an asylum verdict. Additionally, this decision will significantly reduce the financial burden on New York taxpayers related to the provision of shelter for asylum seekers.”
Democratic leaders in other regions, such as Illinois, have also called for assistance and were quick to praise this move on Wednesday evening.
As the number of migrants continues to rise in Northern cities, causing financial strain and space constraints, Democratic candidates and political strategists have grown increasingly concerned about the potential negative impact on their standing with voters. In New York, for instance, where control of the House may be determined next year, Republicans wasted no time in exploiting the perception of chaos and discord among Democrats in key swing seat races.
This decision by the administration, which is part of a series of actions aimed at addressing the influx of migrants attempting to cross the border, was announced on Wednesday as President Biden concluded his four-day visit to New York City for the United Nations General Assembly.
Publicly, the President largely avoided addressing the city’s migrant crisis in his schedule. However, he held a private meeting with Governor Hochul on Tuesday night during a star-studded reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. On Wednesday, Governor Hochul asserted that securing special status for Venezuelans was “one of our top priorities.”
The administration had previously extended humanitarian protections to nearly 250,000 Venezuelans who had entered the country by March 2021. However, officials had expressed concerns that a broader extension could create a new, long-term incentive for migrants to attempt entry into the United States.
Mayor Adams, who has been the most vociferous Democrat in urging the Biden administration to assist New York in managing the escalating challenges, expressed gratitude to the White House on Wednesday. Yet, he promptly reiterated his call for the administration to extend special protections to tens of thousands of migrants from other nations.
Currently, the city is providing shelter to 60,000 asylum seekers. Mayor Adams estimated that addressing housing, education, and healthcare needs could impose a $12 billion financial burden on the city in the coming years. Allowing more of these migrants to commence work and generate income could potentially alleviate some of the pressure on the system while contributing to increased tax revenues.
The White House has taken additional steps to support New York City. The Biden administration successfully secured $140 million in emergency funds for New York and has requested further assistance from Congress. Dozens of federal officials are also in New York City, actively identifying migrants who were previously eligible for employment but had not yet submitted applications.
White House officials contend that only Congress has the power to comprehensively overhaul the nation’s immigration system, altering the flow of migrants and revising the regulations governing work authorization. Privately, they have not concealed their disdain for Mayor Adams’s outspoken criticisms. At the same time, other Democrats have pointed out that his remarks are being widely quoted by Republicans as a means to criticize President Biden.
Nicholas Fandos serves as a reporter on the Metro desk, covering New York State politics with a focus on financial matters, lobbying activities, and political influence. Previously, he worked as a congressional correspondent in Washington. To learn more about Nicholas Fandos, please visit his profile.