New York City officials began delivering free debit cards to illegal migrants this week. According to the Mayor’s office, the funds should be used to purchase food, baby supplies, and other necessities.
It remains unclear if there are any actual restrictions on the cards.
“A large part of our success is due to our constant work to find new ways to better serve the hundreds of individuals and families arriving every single day, as well as the longtime New Yorkers experiencing homelessness who are already in our care,” the spokesperson said. “That is why we are excited to launch an innovative, cost-saving pilot program with Mobility Capital Finance to distribute pre-paid cards to migrant families to purchase only food and baby supplies.”
“Not only will this provide families with the ability to purchase fresh food for their culturally-relevant diets and the baby supplies of their choosing, but the pilot program is expected to save New York City taxpayers more than $600,000 per month and $7 million per year,” the spokesperson added. “The prepaid cards can be used exclusively at select stores to ensure the money is spent on food and baby supplies.”