New York City Begins Handing Out Prepaid Debit Cards To Migrant Families

New York City officials have begun the much-maligned process of giving out prepaid debit cards to migrant families living in the city.

The first batch of cards were handed out Monday to a handful of migrant families in the city, New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ office confirmed. The cards are meant to be used by illegal immigrants to purchase food and baby supplies.

This is part of a reported $53 million pilot program to hand out prepaid cards to migrant families in hotels, which has drawn bipartisan criticism as Americans question why the funds are being spent in this manner.

The mayor’s office confirmed that the program will provide migrant families of four with two children under 5 with up to $350 each week until the end of their stay in city hotels. The program will expand to about 115 families, or roughly 460 people, over the next week.