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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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A group of Congressional Democrats has introduced legislation that would allocate around $3 billion per year in federal funds to help recent migrants become more self-sufficient, arguing it will take the pressure off states and cities struggling to cope with a crush of new arrivals.
Massachusetts Senator Edward J. Markey is leading the Destination Reception Assistance Act, which would supplement local efforts in providing help navigating the immigration system while also assisting migrants with housing and other necessities.
The bicameral group of Democrats announced the plan Tuesday, saying the U.S. was built on immigrant families seeking the American dream and that more could be done at the federal level to "promote their self-sufficiency."
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"Our American economy is strong as a direct result of new Americans and immigrants," Sen. Markey said in a press release. "What unites us is the unshakeable belief that no matter where you come from, no matter your circumstances, you deserve to live safely, be treated with respect, and have access to the opportunities our nation offers, and this legislation makes that pledge a reality."
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The senator, along with Representatives Grace Meng (D-NY), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), said the legislation would help alleviate the pressure on local municipalities across the country that are struggling to accommodate a surge in migrant arrivals.
While border states have long had difficulties finding ways to cope with those entering the U.S., hundreds of thousands of migrants have been sent to New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and other so-called sanctuary cities, which have then been forced to find shelter space and social service provisions within their own budgets.
In New York, around 200,000 migrants have arrived since spring 2022, with many passing through emergency shelters around the city. More than 100 city hotels and motels have been repurposed as ad hoc migrant shelters, leading to a shortage of rooms for visitors.
Similar scenes have played out in Chicago, where the city's police stations and airport have been forced to find space to temporarily house new arrivals.
"In IL-03, we have remained committed to welcoming asylum seekers and providing them with the support they need to contribute to our nation. But the federal government must do more to support our communities," Rep. Ramirez added in the announcement.
"I stand ready to continue the fight for more resources to assist new arrivals, as well as for work permits and a pathway to citizenship for those who have been part of our communities' fabric for decades."
The motion put forward by the group, and backed by other Democrats including Elizabeth Warren and Dick Durbin, provides a $3 billion yearly budget provision for fiscal years 2025 through 2028 to fund the plan.
Projects that could receive the earmarked funds could cover cultural orientation training, workforce development or immigration legal services, according to the text of the legislation.
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The introduction of the bill was welcomed by immigration advocacy groups, including the International Rescue Committee and Amnesty International.
The IRC, which has previously called for the U.S. to create a better reception system for asylum seekers, said the bill looked promising.
"Orderly and humane asylum processes depend on sustainable, coordinated reception systems that promote benefits for newcomers and host communities alike, uphold fairness, and ensure individuals' dignity," Hans Van de Weerd, Senior Vice President for Resettlement, Asylum and Integration at the IRC said.
"This legislation supports the core elements of an effective reception system - a much needed solution when fundamental refugee protections continue to be undermined."
The announcement came as other immigration groups criticized current policies enacted at the southwest border, effectively banning asylum entry into the U.S., as a way to ease the strain on communities across the country.
"This critical legislation sends federal dollars to communities investing in systems of dignified welcome like transitional housing, workforce development, case management, and legal services to help new arrivals start working," Amy Fischer, Director of Refugee and Migrant Rights at Amnesty International USA, said in a statement.
"These grants save taxpayer dollars by helping cities and counties move away from expensive emergency shelter systems and ensure new arrivals can reach self-sufficiency as they settle into their new communities and navigate complying with the complex immigration system."
The announcement came after a House Democrat, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), said he was working on a bipartisan effort to shake up the immigration system.
Border security and illegal immigration have become key issues in this year's election, with Republicans promising to increase deportations and increase vetting of those arriving at the southwest border.
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