New York Rolls Out $53 Million Program Giving Prepaid Debit Cards To Illegal Migrants
Due to a controversial program within New York, the state has officially begun handing out prepaid debit cards to migrants this week, per the New York Post.
According to the news outlet, staffers at the New Jersey based company Mobility Capital Finance presented the Roosevelt Hotel with eight preloaded Mastercards in connection with its pilot program on Monday.
The program seeks to eventually increase the cards to 115 families, around 460 people, by next week, per a City Hall official.
RELATED: New York City Tosses 'Right To Shelter,' Migrants Must Now Leave Housing After 30 Days
Fox News reported that the initial round of prepaid cards are reportedly to be used by illegal immigrants for the purpose of purchasing food and baby supplies, a tip confirmed to the news outlet by Mayor Eric Adams' office.
The program will serve families of four with two children under five years old. Allegedly, up to $350 will be added each week up until the end of their stay.
The deal to this program invoked controversy upon initiation, when the New York Post revealed the agreement was drawn up without a standard bidding process.
"These no-bid emergency contracts and profit-driven bids are out of control, and we need to reevaluate how we do business as a city," Councilman Bob Holden concluded, per the outlet.
RELATED: NYC Mayor Eric Adams Accused Of Sexual Assault By Former NYPD Aide In Shocking Lawsuit
This wouldn't be the first time mayor Adams comes under scrutiny.
In a recent lawsuit, Adams, 63, was accused of sexual assault by a former NYPD aid, claiming the 63-year-old leveraged his then position with the Guardians Association to proposition her back in 1993.
The plaintiff accused Adams of trying to force her hand to touch his genitals and masturbating in the vehicle.
The mayor denies all claims listed in the lawsuit filing.
