NYC to End Migrant Debit Card Program in January

New York City will end its prepaid debit card program for migrant families, which allowed them to purchase food while staying in city-funded hotels. The city has decided not to renew the emergency contract with Mobility Capital Finance due to its no-bid nature, distributing $3.2 million to approximately 2,600 families. Families of four could receive up to $350 weekly, and the city claimed savings of $600,000 per month compared to prior food delivery services. The program's termination aligns with a shift towards more competitive contracting for asylum-seeker programs amidst political pressures and critiques. City officials plan to revert to food delivery services and continue exploring new pilot programs. This decision also reflects a broader re-evaluation of migrant support strategies as new migrant arrivals decline.