In another blatant slap in the face to New York taxpayers, New York City will be expanding its pre-paid debit card program. The initiative, announced by Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, aims to support over 7,300 migrants residing in city-funded hotels, with an estimated budget of $2.6 million over the next six months. This expansion follows a pilot program that initially provided debit cards to about 3,000 migrants.

Mayor Adams justified the program as a strategic cost-saving measure, explaining that it will temporarily replace the existing system of distributing non-perishable food boxes. The program is implemented in collaboration with Mobility Capital Finance. Families with children under five can receive up to $350 per week, totaling around $18,200 annually.

However, the initiative has faced criticism. New York Council member Joseph Borelli and other Republicans argue that the program is unfair to the city’s working poor, who do not receive similar financial benefits. They contend that New York’s “right to shelter” law and sanctuary policies are attracting a growing number of migrants, exacerbating the city’s financial burden.

Conservative lawmakers also point out that the $350 weekly allowance for migrants surpasses the average monthly $291 provided to low-income, elderly, and disabled U.S. citizens through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Over the past year, New York City has seen an influx of more than 183,000 asylum seekers, leading to projected spending of $10 billion on migrant services.