By America’s Voice | February 23, 2024

New York, NY — In a recent Lohud.com op-ed, David Dyssegaard Kallick and Carola Otero Bracco highlighted the immediate positive economic impact of migrants and asylum seekers on the Hudson Valley region and how New York could ensure everyone benefits from their impact.

The article emphasizes that immigrants in the lower Hudson Valley would pour millions into the revenue of local and the state government. Migrants in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam counties would add “$2 million in state and local taxes paid per 1,000 workers.” Migrants may start at entry-level jobs and as they learn English and new skills, their wages would grow and their contributions would grow and add “$3.4 million in state and local taxes paid per 1,000 workers.”

For decades, New York has welcomed immigrants and worked to fulfill “the state’s centuries-old promise that this is where anyone has a shot at achieving their American Dream.” To fulfill this promise, elected officials and leaders across the state and in Albany must recognize that “support services play a vital role in helping people get on their feet and ready to provide for their family” and properly fund these resources. The authors underscore the importance of legal representation and how it helps migrants and asylum seekers “seeking temporary protected status acquire work authorizations, and to get on the path to citizenship.”

Pro-immigrant advocates and service organizations have made it clear that $150 million is needed for legal services statewide and that “legal services are a top area of concern that augments funding for housing assistance, local language supports and education.” Governor Hochul’s $44.2 million for immigrant legals services in her executive budget is a far cry from what is needed and that “New York can afford it.”

“Leading experts and advocates are making it clear that supporting new arrivals helps to ensure our state’s economic and communities’ bright future. It is crucial that Governor Hochul and our leaders in Washington meet this moment and deliver real solutions and funding to support our cities, help migrants get on a path to self-sufficiency, and strengthen our state’s economy.” said Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition.

Immigrants come to New York because this state promises a shot at economic success. And, when they do, all of us benefit from the economic and cultural contributions of newcomers.

As Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers begin negotiating the budget in Albany, they should keep that idea in mind. The underfunding of state-supported services that help migrants gain a foothold in communities statewide would not only fail to meet this moment with the humanity that’s required; the state would miss out on economic benefits of its own.

Looking at the lower Hudson Valley, the Immigration Research Initiative has found that newly arrived immigrants can make an immediate economic impact on the region. A recently released model shows that immigrants settling in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties can be expected to earn an annual median wage of $18,000, translating to $2 million in state and local taxes paid per 1,000 workers. In the beginning, workers are likely to find jobs as domestic workers, janitors, waiters, truck drivers, cashiers, couriers and messengers. Once new immigrants have been here a short while, they are likely to begin learning English and getting better jobs, such as home health aides or retail salespeople. Immigrants who have been in the U.S. about five years can be expected to earn $30,000 in average annual wages after five years in the workforce. That means $3.4 million in state and local taxes paid per 1,000 workers.

That impact is important for the Hudson Valley at a time when consistent outmigration has resulted in a total regional loss of 134,505 people over the last 25 years, according to a 2023 report from Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress. Adding new people is critical to maintaining the vibrancy of communities throughout the region.

To seize opportunity, immigrants need some help getting started. Support services — including affordable housing, job training, health care access and language services — play a vital role in helping people get on their feet and ready to provide for their family.

So, too, does legal representation, to help asylum-seeking newcomers, and those seeking temporary protected status acquire work authorizations, and to get on the path to citizenship. Having a lawyer is hugely important: 60% of non-detained immigrants with an attorney during deportation proceedings win their cases, versus just 17% without representation, according to the New York Immigration Coalition.

The state budget is currently being negotiated, with important issues to be decided that will affect newly arriving immigrants, from housing vouchers to language access. One that should be an obvious win for everyone is making sure newly arrived immigrants have access to legal services.

Yet last month, Gov. Kathy Hochul included only $44.2 million for immigrant legal services in her executive budget, a far cry from the $150 million that immigration advocates and service organizations say we need for legal services statewide. While significant funding would flow to New York City for sheltering and other assistance, it’s imperative the state doesn’t lose sight of the very real needs of immigrant people north of the five boroughs. Legal services are a top area of concern that augments funding for housing assistance, local language supports and education.

New York can afford it: $150 million would amount to less than one tenth of 1% of the overall $233 billion proposed budget. And though a small part of the state’s overall spending to aid migrants, it’s essential to fulfilling the state’s centuries-old promise that this is where anyone has a shot at achieving their American Dream.

  asylum seekers, economy, immigrants, migrants, New York