Only 2% of the 140K migrants who have come to NYC have applied for work permits

Only 2% of the 140K migrants who have come to NYC have applied for work permits, per NYP.

Approximately 3,200 asylum seekers in New York City have completed the necessary paperwork to initiate the process of obtaining legal employment, nearly 18 months after the persistent surge in migrant arrivals began, according to data released by City Hall.

The figures reveal that 1,495 of these work authorization applications were submitted through the city's Asylum Application Help Center, which opened in June.

An additional 1,700 work applications were lodged last month when the Biden administration dispatched Department of Homeland Security personnel to New York City for a two-week period to expedite the bureaucratic procedures.

The exact number of approvals granted remains unclear at this time.

However, this represents approximately 2% of the 139,500 asylum seekers who have passed through the city's intake system since spring 2022. It's important to note that this figure includes migrants who are ineligible to work, such as children.

It is possible that some individuals have sought approval to work in the United States through non-profit organizations or independently, although this information is not currently available.

A City Hall spokesperson stated, "New York City is not the only entity helping migrants with their applications. We welcome the support of so many partners in helping asylum seekers take the next step in their journeys."

Although the city is aware that more than 42,000 adult migrants are under its care, determining the number eligible for employment remains a challenge as there has been no comprehensive tracking of asylum seekers by the city, state, or federal authorities after they cross the border.