Senate Bill S6041

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6041

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the labor law, in relation to permitting persons who
have filed for asylum to work in New York state

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill provides that anyone who has applied for an asylum is eligible
to work in New York state.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new section 22 to the labor law directing the labor
commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations for asylum applicants
to be eligible to work in New York state.

Section 2 is the effective date.

 
              

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):

 
JUSTIFICATION:

From April 2022 to September 2023, New York City has welcomed over
110,000 asylum seekers, who have a legal right to remain in the country.
Under a consent decree in the case of Callahan v. Carey, New York City
is legally obligated to provide these people shelter. As of September
2023, New York City is providing shelter to over 59,000 asylum seekers,
at a cost projected to be $12 billion by June 2025.  Under current law,
asylum seekers cannot receive work authorization for at least 180 days
after beginning an asylum application. The inability to work has forced
asylum seekers to rely on New York City for shelter and necessities.
Many work without authorization, leaving them susceptible to exploita-
tion.

At the same time, there are 460,000 job openings in New York State, and
over 120,000 fewer people in the labor force than pre-pandemic.  Busi-
nesses throughout the state report an eagerness to hire asylum seekers.

This bill will allow asylum seekers to be self-sufficient, bring talent
to the labor market, and relieve the financial burden facing New York
City.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2024: S7660-REFERRED TO LABOR

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE: