The federal government is finally set to release more than $100 million in immigration aid to New York City that has sat untouched for months, but the delay has heightened tensions between City Hall and the Biden administration.
The $106 million in aid — the remainder of the $150 million Congress allocated to the Big Apple last summer — comes after the Federal Emergency Management Agency formally approved City Hall’s request for reimbursement, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck. It is expected to be available later on Thursday. Schumer’s office.
“I worked hard with New York City and FEMA to deliver these funds,” Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on social media. “Republicans must now stop blocking strong bipartisan border legislation that would do more.”
The senator, who worked as a liaison between the city and federal authorities, said FEMA would send a team to the Big Apple to assist the Adams administration with documentation and applications for grants that would increase hotel reimbursement caps to 15%. I arranged that.
Under the previous limit, only 10% of the total aid could be used for hotel accommodation for immigrants.
“Today, FEMA notified New York City that it has approved and made available more than $106 million in funding awarded through the Shelter and Services Program,” a Biden administration official told the Post. told.
“After accepting technical assistance from FEMA, we are pleased that New York City was able to submit the necessary documentation to make the funds available.”
City Hall and FEMA did not respond to requests for comment.
The untapped aid comes as Mayor Eric Adams’ budget guru revealed at a City Council hearing that New York City had collected only $49 million in aid months after it was allocated. , has come to light in recent weeks.
“It’s very difficult to do that because the requirements are very strict, but we are working to recover the remaining $107 million,” City Budget Director Jacques Giha testified on March 4.
Federal Reserve officials later told the Post that City Hall had failed to provide the proper documentation, a charge vehemently criticized by Mr. Adams.
Adams blasted the idea that city officials were to blame for the delays, saying the city would receive only $150 million in aid to deal with a crisis expected to cost about $10 billion by next fiscal year. He criticized the Biden administration for not receiving the necessary response.
“Even if we were to get the full $150 million, we still need a $4 billion price tag,” the mayor said at a press conference last week.
Additional reporting by Diana Glebova
