New York City Mayor Adams once again urged the federal government on May 2 to expand Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for undocumented immigrants seeking asylum, so that they can quickly obtain legal work permits. Adams held a press conference outside the immigrant assistance center at the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, calling on the federal government to grant TPS to undocumented immigrants from more countries, so they can quickly obtain work permits. He stated that if immigrants from Ukraine can work, then immigrants from Central and South America have no reason not to be able to work.
Currently, undocumented immigrants must wait at least six months to obtain work permits after applying for asylum. With Temporary Protected Status, they do not have to wait for six months. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced last September that it would grant TPS to undocumented immigrants of Venezuelan descent but excluded other countries in Central and South America. This is why Adams is urging the expansion of TPS to other countries’ undocumented immigrants. Adams said the core issue is the right to work; immigrants should have the right to support their families and pursue the American Dream.
Since the spring of 2022, over 194,000 immigrants have poured into New York City, with 66,000 still residing in the city’s municipal shelter system. Due to the overwhelmed shelters, Adams implemented a policy limiting single immigrants to 30 days and immigrant families to 60 days. Some undocumented immigrants, unable to work legally in the short term, have resorted to selling candy in the subway, including children, sparking criticism against Adams.
On May 2, Adams defended the shelter limit policy, stating that over 65% of undocumented immigrants are able to move forward once they leave the shelters. He also mentioned that many U.S. cities are lacking workers due to a decrease in population, and providing work permits to undocumented immigrants as soon as possible not only helps control the crisis but also turns it into an opportunity.
The issue of undocumented immigrants and their access to work permits continues to be a pressing concern in New York City, with Mayor Adams advocating for broader support and opportunities for these vulnerable populations.