New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on November 7, 2024, that NYC would stop issuing food vouchers to undocumented immigrants. This decision followed a reported phone call with Donald Trump on November 6, 2024, sparking speculation that Trump's influence was already impacting local policy.
Eric Adams stated that, as the city shifted to more competitive contracting for asylum-seeker programs, the emergency contract for this pilot program would not be renewed after its one-year term ends. The news has drawn reactions from social media users across platforms like X. A person commented,
“What this tells me is NYC was getting $$$ from DC in a big way. I suspect all sanctuary cities were being funded under the table. Trump is making an impact already.”
Netizens mentioned that Eric Adams did not want to lose federal funding and took this initiative.
“Hmmm. Common sense hit him finally?” an online user wrote.
“Trump isn't even president yet, and we are winning all over already,” a netizen reacted.
“Adams doesn’t want to lose federal funding or end up having the US military there removing illegals,” a person mentioned on X.
Social media users suggested that the immigrants should go to Massachusetts while others embraced the change.
“So simple! Trump walks into a room and problems all dissolve,” an X user pointed out.
“If Eric Adam’s doesn’t follow Trumps rules his city will lose federal funding,” another social media user commented.
“Change is coming and it’s all thanks to President Trump,” a netizen remarked.
“They should all go to Massachusetts! ALL OF THEM!They're awaiting them with open arms!” another X user wrote.
Eric Adams said there was a decrease in the number of immigrants which led to the closure of the program
As per a report by The New York Times, Eric Adams explained that, with the city’s immigrant population steadily decreasing, there was no longer a need to extend the emergency contract. He highlighted the program's success and noted the shift in the city’s approach.
Over 200,000 migrants have arrived in New York City since 2022, but the influx has recently slowed. According to mayoral spokesperson William Fowler, the program assisted over 2,600 immigrants housed in city-funded hotels.
Under this initiative, a family of four with young children received around $350 per week for a month, with the option to renew. The city reported that it has allocated roughly $3.6 million to the program, including $3.2 million on cards and $400,000 in payments to Mobility Capital Finance or MoCaFi.
On November 7, 2024, MoCaFi's CEO, Wole Coaxum, expressed pride in their work supporting migrant families, noting that it aligned with their mission to ensure taxpayer funds were used efficiently.
The pilot program faced criticism from its announcement in February 2024, with opponents expressing concerns over the potential misuse of the cards and questioning the fairness of prioritizing immigrants over other people in need.
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Eric Adams defended the initiative, emphasizing that it aimed to reduce the expenses associated with providing food for immigrants while offering them a broader selection of healthier options at supermarkets and bodegas.
The city reverted to providing meals to families in hotels through an existing contract with Garner Environmental Services.
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