Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Provide a lawyer for every migrant? NYC comptroller says it’ll pay off.
By
Arun Venugopal
Published Mar 19, 2024
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 .
Arya Sundaram / Gothamist
By
Arun Venugopal
Published Mar 19, 2024
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
New York state could generate billions of dollars in new economic benefits if it provides all asylum-seekers, migrants and others facing possible deportation with their own lawyer, according to a new report from New York City's comptroller.
Comptroller Brad Lander, a Democrat, said the move would prevent the deportation of up to 53,000 people statewide, resulting in an “estimated net benefit of $8.4 billion for the federal, state, and local governments” — based on projected new tax revenues over 30 years, minus outlays for services.
“Access to work authorization leads to higher wages,” the comptroller’s report said. “The higher earning power generates more tax revenue. Higher personal income also benefits the economy through increased consumer spending.”
The findings come as New York City grapples with an influx of some 180,000 migrants — most of whom are asylum-seekers — that began arriving nearly two years ago. The city’s Independent Budget Office estimated earlier this month that the cost of sheltering and caring for the new arrivals would reach $10.5 billion by June 2025.
While Lander’s report did not include an estimate for the cost of providing the legal help, one of its footnotes referenced talking points by the Campaign for Access, Representation, and Equity (CARE) for Immigrant Families, which put the tab at $150 million in fiscal year 2025.
If you get people the ability to work, we don't have to worry about the cost of housing or other services to the state.
State Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, a Queens Democrat
The CARE website describes itself as a “broad coalition of elected officials, advocacy organizations, and impacted families” backing state legislation guaranteeing legal representation to immigrants at risk of deportation. Lander endorsed the Access to Representation Act, which has been introduced in the state Assembly and Senate.
State Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, a Queens Democrat and sponsor of the legislation, said the upfront cost of providing legal services to thousands of immigrants would be recouped in other ways.
“If you get people the ability to work, we don't have to worry about the cost of housing or other services to the state,” Cruz said.
But Assemblymember Michael Reilly, a Republican who represents Staten Island, said he opposed the legislation because it would lure migrants — “knowing that they’ll get legal representation paid for" — to the state.
“I think it’s just another beacon that will draw people to New York that are here illegally,” he said.
Ken Girardin, research director at the Empire Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank based in Albany, said it was unclear if the state Legislature would fund such an initiative.
“I can't speculate on the accuracy of the cost estimate, but with the state facing significant outyear budget gaps, there's little room for new programs,” Girardin said.
Economics of migration
Numerous studies have demonstrated that migration benefits the national economy. Data released in February by the federal Department of Health and Human Services shows that asylum-seekers and refugees had “a positive net fiscal impact on our national economy, contributing $123.8 billion to federal, state and local governments.”
Still, the representation legislation comes during an election year where immigration is a focal point in many state and national races. Congress has not agreed on any significant immigration reforms in decades.
I think it’s just another beacon that will draw people to New York that are here illegally.
State Assemblymember Michael Reilly, a Staten Island Republican
Marlene Galaz, director of immigrant rights policy at the nonprofit New York Immigration Coalition, said immigrants who have lawyers are over 10 times more likely to win their cases than those without counsel.
“So representation makes a huge difference,” she said.
Immigrant rights advocates said that if the Access to Representation Act is enacted, it would build on existing state- and city-run programs.
According to a December report by Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, 49% of the people with a case in New York immigration court were represented by attorneys — the third-highest rate of legal representation of any state, only behind Hawaii and California.
Currently, New York allocates less than half the amount of money that advocates for universal representation are seeking.
Shaynna Kessler, associate director for advocacy for the nonprofit Vera Institute's Advancing Universal Representation initiative, said the state provided $63 million for immigrant legal services under its fiscal year 2024 budget. Citing figures from TRAC, she said respondents lacked representation in nearly 200,000 immigration cases, out of a total 357,000 pending cases in state courts as of February.
“There’s a huge gap that still needs to be filled,” Kessler said.
The future of the Access to Representation Act remains uncertain, and Maggie Halley, a spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul, said she couldn’t comment on pending legislation.
“The governor will review all legislation that passes both houses,” Halley wrote in an email.
Tagged
Asylum Seekers
Race And Justice Unit
Politics
brad lander
Arun Venugopal
Arun Venugopal is a senior reporter for the WNYC and Gothamist Race & Justice Unit who focuses on issues of race and bias in our region. His reporting also tackles the topics of immigration, faith, and inequality. Arun serves as the regular fill-in host of the station's "U.S. of Anxiety" program. Arun was the creator and host of Micropolis, a series about race and identity. He is a contributor to NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered. He has appeared on PBS Newshour, On the Media and Studio 360, and has been published in The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and Salon. He also frequently serves as an emcee and moderator of panel discussions on race, religion, and identity issues and has been a guest host of NPR's "Fresh Air." He lives with his family in Queens.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens
Officers responding to a call at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and 173rd Street around 1 a.m. found 29-year-old Sulimon Ferrier, who had multiple stab wounds to his chest, police said.
By
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 3, 2026 at 4:38 p.m. ET
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
It’s unclear if the attackers knew the victim was NYPD.
By
Jill Webb
News
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
It’s unclear if the attackers knew the victim was NYPD.
By
Jill Webb
Astoria-born Chip City announces sudden closure days after former CEO sues
By
Catalina Gonella
US judge tosses Trump lawsuit targeting pro-Palestinian protesters in NJ
By
Willow Higgins
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
By
Rosemary Misdary
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 .