Immigrant Advocates OK New Childcare Vouchers For Undocumented Families

Yesterday, NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced that low-income, undocumented families will be eligible for childcare vouchers, as the City is investing $10 million in its new “Promise NYC” program.

“Promise NYC” will partner with four community-based organizations to administer the program.

Three of the organizations selected, the Chinese-American Planning Council, La Colmena and Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, are member organizations of the New york Immigration Coalition.

This will provide free or low-cost child care to families with children who are 6 weeks to 13 years old.

Liza Schwartzwald, Senior Manager of Immigration Policy, New York Immigration Coalition,
“Access to childcare allows New York families, local communities, and our city’s economy to function. Children – regardless of immigration status – need quality early childhood education and care to thrive, and families rely on childcare to work, go to school, and so much more. For too long, immigrant New Yorkers who lack legal status have been unable to access federal and state subsidies for childcare. Newly arrived asylum seekers have also had difficulty accessing childcare, exacerbating the challenges of integrating into their new city. By investing $10 million in ‘Promise NYC,’ New York City is giving all New Yorkers a greater opportunity to build their lives without sacrificing their financial welfare or the stability of their family. We thank NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, and NYC Council members Tiffany Caban and Shahana Hanif for championing inclusionary and accessible childcare. We look forward to working with the Administration and all of the community-based organizations involved to ensure that ‘Promise NYC’ is a successful program, and will be advocating for its expansion in the years to come.”

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for more than 200 groups in New York State. We envision a New York state that is stronger because all people are welcome, treated fairly, and given the chance to pursue their dreams. Our mission is to unite immigrants, members, & allies so all New Yorkers can thrive.

We represent the collective interests of New York’s diverse immigrant communities and organizations and devise solutions to advance them; advocate for laws, policies, and programs that lead to justice and opportunity for all immigrant groups; and build the power of immigrants and the organizations that serve them to ensure their sustainability, to improve people’s lives, and to strengthen our state.