NYC Halts $18,500 Prepaid Card Program for Migrants Amid Criticism.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced the end of a program that provided prepaid debit cards worth up to $18,500 annually to migrant families. The decision follows growing criticism of the multi-million dollar initiative, which had been heavily scrutinized by political leaders and the public alike.

The End of the Prepaid Debit Card Program

The prepaid card program, which was designed to help migrant families purchase essentials like food and baby supplies, will be phased out by the end of 2024. According to City Hall spokesperson William Fowler, the program, which began as a pilot, has distributed a total of $3.2 million in cash benefits to around 2,600 families. These cards were initially restricted to purchases at supermarkets and bodegas, with a family of four receiving as much as $350 per week, depending on the ages of the children.

While the program was intended to ease the financial burden on newly arrived migrants, it has sparked significant backlash. Critics, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott and rapper 50 Cent, questioned why migrant families were receiving such financial assistance when many New Yorkers are also struggling with rising costs of living.

Growing Controversy Over the Program

The criticism of the prepaid card initiative intensified when New York City Comptroller Brad Lander removed Mayor Adams' authority to negotiate emergency contracts with companies like MoCaFi, the firm managing the program. MoCaFi had received a $400,000 no-bid contract to oversee the distribution of funds.

William Fowler responded to these concerns by emphasizing the city’s ongoing commitment to managing the influx of migrants. “We will continue to implement and learn from innovative pilot programs like the immediate response cards program as we care for hundreds of new arrivals every week,” he said in a statement.

However, Mr. Fowler also hinted at the possibility of the program being reinstated, though any future iteration would require an open bidding process to determine the management firm.

Mixed Support and Criticism

Local reactions to the program’s cancellation have been divided. On one hand, supporters argue that the program helps the city manage the increased strain on public services due to the surge in migrant arrivals. Mayor Adams himself defended the initiative, stating that it would save the city $600,000 a month by allowing migrants to directly spend money within the local economy, instead of the city having to distribute food boxes. This, he argued, would help alleviate some of the financial pressure on New York’s resources.

On the other hand, critics have raised concerns about fairness. Republican minority leader in the City Council, Joseph Borelli, questioned the overall spending on migrants, pointing out that many New Yorkers are struggling to pay their own bills. "A lot of New Yorkers are going to take this as something that's fundamentally unfair," Borelli said in an interview with the New York Times.

Rapper 50 Cent have also weighed in on the debate surrounding the migrant assistance program. On social media, the Queens-born artist questioned the fairness of the initiative, asking why migrants were receiving prepaid cards while many local New Yorkers are struggling financially. "WTF Mayor Adams, call me," 50 Cent posted on Instagram. "I don’t get how this works; can someone explain? I’m lost, maybe TRUMP is the answer."

Trump Weighs In on Immigration

As the debate over the prepaid cards program continues to unfold, President Donald Trump has re-entered the conversation, advocating for tougher immigration policies. Trump, who has made limiting immigration a central focus of his 2024 presidential campaign, has pledged to implement significant changes to the U.S. immigration system if he returns to the White House.

At a recent rally, Trump announced plans to detain all migrants caught crossing the border illegally, aiming to end the so-called "catch and release" system. Additionally, he has vowed to complete the U.S.-Mexico border wall, a key promise from his first term, should he be elected again.

Donald Trump’s stance on immigration has sharply contrasted with Mayor Eric Adams' more moderate approach. However, Mayor has expressed a willingness to work with the Trump administration on certain issues affecting New York City. In a recent statement, the mayor congratulated Trump on his victory, highlighting the need for cooperation on matters such as immigration and stated: "I communicated with the president yesterday to state that there are many issues here in the city that we want to work together with the administration to address. The city must move forward and that is what our call is to do."

Related: New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicted on federal criminal charges