Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Hochul, White House announce some progress on work authorization for migrants
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 31, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 31, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Hochul and Biden administrations have agreed to some measures to help New York manage the ongoing migrant crisis — specifically a program that would help some migrants get authorized to work as they wait for their immigration cases to be processed.
In a prepared statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she met with senior members of the Biden Administration for more than two hours Wednesday in the West Wing of the White House, where they focused “on a number of immediate and tangible actions,” including a program to help recent arrivals sign up for work permits.
“It is the only way to help asylum seekers become self-sustaining, so they can move into permanent housing,” Hochul said. “I am especially pleased that the federal government has agreed to provide personnel, data, and resources to identify the thousands of individuals in New York who are already eligible, but have not yet applied, for work authorization.”
The White House also sent out a summary of the meeting. The key issue, according to both administrations, is that some migrants don’t know they are eligible to work, or aren’t aware of how to go through the process to get a permit. According to White House data, roughly 20% of migrants who indicated they were destined for New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania are eligible for work permits immediately — but research indicates that many of them may not know how to apply. More than 100,000 migrants have shown up in New York City alone over the past year.
To close that gap, the Biden Administration said it will work with Hochul on a September “month of action” across New York State, aimed at better informing migrants about their work options through email and text in a variety of languages, according to the White House.
Teams of personnel will also be deployed to help support the newcomers as they navigate the process, and federal agencies — including the Departments of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Interior — will work in partnership with New York State to identify what the migrants need most.
The White House called the effort part of a “first-of-its-kind national campaign” to get the message out to migrants across the country.
According to data from the Biden Administration, only about 16% of working-age migrants enrolled in a new phone app from Customs and Border Protection have actually applied for work permits.
Migrants interviewed by Gothamist have said they are eager to work to start supporting themselves and their families. Many have canvassed city restaurants and small businesses to find opportunities, but have not had much luck.
One Senegalese man, who identified himself only as Moris, said he didn't like spending time in shelters and was hopeful of finding a job.
“I don’t feel comfortable,” Moris said. “I will feel comfortable after I start working.”
Hochul cautioned that the program is “not enough to fully address this crisis.”
Mayor Eric Adams has been begging the White House to loosen work regulations for migrants and is expected to hold a rally with union leaders Thursday morning.
Arya Sundaram contributed reporting.
Tagged
Asylum Seekers
Kathy Hochul
White House
labor
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Federal judge tosses Trump administration lawsuit challenging NYC sanctuary laws
A Brooklyn judge ruled the federal government lacked standing to challenge city policies limiting cooperation with immigration authorities.
By
Phil Corso
Published Oct 15, 2026 at 9:13 p.m. ET
2 men charged in fatal fentanyl poisoning of NYC college student, alleged rape
Federal prosecutors say one man gave two women fentanyl disguised as cocaine in a Manhattan dorm, then raped one of them while she was unconscious. She later died.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
2 men charged in fatal fentanyl poisoning of NYC college student, alleged rape
Federal prosecutors say one man gave two women fentanyl disguised as cocaine in a Manhattan dorm, then raped one of them while she was unconscious. She later died.
By
Giulia Heyward
NYC spending on homelessness has soared. So has the number of people on the street.
By
Karen Yi
MTA’s Lieber reiterates opposition to ‘fast and free’ buses after violent incident
By
Carol Chen
Avila Chevalier insists her beef is with NYPD Commissioner Tisch, not Mamdani
By
Jimmy Vielkind
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .