Statement from Representative Adriano Espaillat Following the Distribution of $38 Million to Support Asylum Seekers in New York City

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it would disburse an additional $38 million in emergency funding from the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) to New York City to support the ongoing efforts by local government and nonprofit entities to provide humanitarian relief to asylum seekers.

Earlier this Congress, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) led a letter to FEMA on behalf of the New York delegation which urged FEMA to swiftly provide New York City with a sizeable portion of SSP funding to assist asylum seekers and new arrivals to the city.

"Thank you President Biden and DHS Secretary Mayorkas for heeding my call for increased federal funding for food and shelter services for newly arrived asylum seekers in New York City," said Rep. Espaillat. "Today's announcement provides our City with $38 million in critical emergency funding that will strengthen our support services for migrant families upon their arrival, and it reaffirms our commitment to working together to ensure the American dream remains viable for all."

These funds will go towards New York City to shelter and feed newly-arrived migrants, in addition to other critical supports for immigrant communities.

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fourth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government's vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 118th Congress. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Deputy Chair as well as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). Rep. Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at [email protected]