Episode Details

New York City proudly proclaims itself a city of immigrants but the Sanctuary City status it has maintained since the 1980s is being challenged once again by an accelerated influx of migrants seeking asylum. Mayor Adams has called the demands on the city’s social service system one of our greatest fiscal threats. NYC projects $12 billion in unanticipated costs even as the federal government ends pandemic-era funding support. Both the Mayor and Governor have led firm calls on the federal government for support.

The influx exacerbates an existing housing crisis that has contributed to an explosion of homelessness and further strains social services. In particular, the Right to Shelter mandate has come under fire and is being reviewed in the courts once again.

CUNY has quickly set up programs for students at CUNY and private universities can receive credit for helping migrants navigate the immigration processes.

To discuss the issue, its overall impact on New York and provide some suggestions for moving forward we are joined by: Grace Rauh, the Executive Director of the 5Boro Institute; Felipe de la Hoz, a member of the Daily News Editorial Board who writes the Borderlines Blog; Prof. Alizabeth Newman, Director, Emerging Needs Clinic at the CUNY School of Law; Prof. Van Tran, Sociology and International Migration Studies at the CUNY Graduate School.

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