Comptroller Launches Tool to Track NY’s Spending on Asylum Seekers

Close-up of barbed wire with a faded American flag overlay, symbolizing border issues or restricted freedom.
Barbed wire overlaid with a faded American flag symbolizes issues of borders and freedom, often associated with immigration policy.

The New York State Comptroller’s Office has launched a new online tool to monitor emergency spending related to assistance for asylum seekers by New York state and New York City. State agencies have spent $316.2 million in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 on resources for asylum seekers through Sept. 30. New York City’s estimated total spending from Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 and FY 2024 through Sept. 30 is $1.89 billion.

“New York City and state are facing substantial costs for helping people seeking refuge in this country and needing assistance with their basic needs,” Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said. “My office has launched a new tool to provide transparency on this emergency spending and show why additional funding and logistical support is needed from the federal government.”

The tool breaks down state and city spending by agency. For state agencies, the figures include only spending specifically earmarked by them for activities such as housing, emergency response, resettlement funding, and general and transportation. The data will be updated monthly.

Stay Informed: Finger Lakes news, delivered to your inbox every morning.