Governor Announces New State Efforts to Address Migrant Crisis, Connecting Asylum Seekers with Potential Employers

In response to the recent announcement by the White House regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain individuals from Venezuela, Governor Hochul has unveiled new state initiatives aimed at addressing the asylum seeker and migrant crisis. Under the TPS designation, certain Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. on or before July 31, 2023 will be eligible to apply for work authorization. In a press statement last week, Governor Hochul emphasized that "work authorization is the way out of the migrant crisis," enabling individuals to secure employment opportunities and pursue the American Dream.

While work authorization is a significant first step in the State’s ability to respond to the recent influx of migrants, the Governor also acknowledges that it is critical for work authorization to be expedited and for new workers to be easily connected to potential employers. In this effort, the Governor has directed the Department of Labor (DOL) to help connect employers with newly eligible asylum seekers and migrants who are on the path to receiving work authorizations. DOL has since launched a new portal enabling businesses from any sector to inform the State that they would welcome newly authorized individuals into their workforce.

By simplifying the process for employers to engage with newly authorized individuals through the portal, NYS aims to expedite the integration of asylum seekers and migrants into the workforce, contributing to their self-reliance and fostering economic stability in the region. LeadingAge NY members that are interested in employing Venezuelan asylum seekers once they have authorization to work in the U.S. should complete the DOL form linked here.

Contact: Sarah Daly, sdaly@leadingageny.org