NYC Mayor Seeks $1.2B More for Migrant Support

Funding request comes as migrant numbers decline, but city says ongoing services still needed

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is proposing an additional $1.2 billion in this year's budget to cover the ongoing costs of caring for migrants arriving in the city. The funding request comes as the number of asylum seekers in the city's care has declined significantly from its peak, dropping from 68,660 in January 2024 to 30,813 as of last month.

Why it matters

The proposed allocation follows massive spending in prior fiscal years, with the city spending $3.75 billion on migrant-related costs in fiscal year 2024 alone. The mayor's latest request is expected to reignite debate in City Hall over the long-term financial impact of the migrant influx, as lawmakers weigh budget priorities amid broader fiscal pressures facing the city.

The details

City officials note that, as of February 2026, only one emergency shelter site remains operating outside of the Department of Homeless Services system, exclusively serving single adults. Despite the reduction in overall migrant numbers, the administration argues that continued funding is necessary to maintain shelter operations, legal services, and other support programs tied to the migrant response.

  • The city spent $3.75 billion on migrant-related costs in fiscal year 2024 alone.
  • Between fiscal years 2023 and 2025, the city spent a total of $8.11 billion during the height of the migrant crisis.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The newly elected mayor of New York City who is proposing the additional $1.2 billion in funding for migrant support.

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What’s next

The mayor's latest request is expected to reignite debate in City Hall over the long-term financial impact of the migrant influx, as lawmakers weigh budget priorities amid broader fiscal pressures facing the city.

The takeaway

The ongoing costs of supporting migrants in New York City remain a significant financial burden, even as the number of asylum seekers has declined. The mayor's push for additional funding highlights the challenges cities face in managing the long-term impacts of a migrant crisis.