Staff Reports
In a desperate plea to ease the migrant crisis in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul have repeatedly asked President Biden to “let them work.” These Democratic leaders, along with other impatient members of their party, argue that allowing migrants to obtain work authorization quickly would alleviate some of the financial burdens they face.
However, experts in the process warn that expediting work permits is no easy feat. It would require an act of Congress to shorten the mandatory six-month waiting period for asylum-seekers. While some Democrats suggest that the Biden administration could take alternative steps that don’t require congressional approval, the likelihood of such actions remains questionable. Biden is already facing criticism from Republicans who claim he is too soft on immigration, and his administration has cited Congress’ inability to reach a consensus on immigration reform as a reason for not taking immediate action.
The Department of Homeland Security has sent over a million text messages urging eligible individuals to apply for work permits. However, due to a backlog of applications, the wait time for a work permit is often longer than six months. Frustrated with the lack of progress, Governor Hochul has contemplated the state offering work permits, but this move would likely face legal challenges and has been dismissed by the White House.
Immigrants themselves are also feeling the frustration. Gilberto Pozo Ortiz, a Cuban immigrant, has been living in a hotel in upstate New York at taxpayer expense for the past three months. He expresses his desire to work and not depend on others for support. Similar pleas for parole for asylum-seekers have been made by Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago and Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, arguing that it would bypass the lengthy wait for work permits.
The lack of assistance from the federal government has driven migrants to seek refuge in homeless shelters across various cities. To accommodate the influx of migrants in New York City alone, the government has rented hotel space, set up cots in recreational centers, and erected tent shelters, costing the city an estimated $12 billion over three years. Mayor Adams warns that this issue could potentially destroy New York City, but advocates for migrants argue that the impact of these newcomers on the city’s population of almost 8.8 million people is exaggerated.
Biden's Democratic allies intensify pressure for asylum seekers to get work permits https://t.co/G6ibelYr6U pic.twitter.com/p8JgXUmxww
— 1010 WINS (@1010WINS) September 20, 2023
Republicans have capitalized on this discord, putting Democrats on the defensive as the next presidential elections approach. Muzaffar Chishti, an expert in immigration law, suggests that calls for expedited work authorizations are more about political optics than practical solutions. While providing legal assistance to migrants in applying for asylum and work authorization may be helpful, it presents its own challenges.
Ultimately, the Biden administration faces a difficult decision, balancing the desires of Democratic leaders to expedite work permits with the potential consequences of incentivizing more migrants to come to the U.S. Meanwhile, the number of illegal border crossings has soared, with arrests in Mexico exceeding 177,000 in August, up nearly 80% from June. Many migrants are forced to rely on the underground economy for employment, presenting a complex issue that requires thoughtful resolution.
