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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Scope and achievements of OASO's operations in managing the asylum seeker crisis
0:35:15
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104 sec
Schaefer outlines the extensive scope of OASO's operations and highlights key achievements in managing the asylum seeker crisis. The office has implemented various initiatives to support asylum seekers and facilitate their integration into the city.
- Over 258 emergency shelter sites have been opened since spring 2022
- Services provided include healthcare, education, work training, jobs, and legal support
- 189,000 migrants (81% of those assisted) have taken steps towards self-sufficiency
- No family has slept on the street during this crisis
- OASO was created in March 2023 to centrally manage the city's asylum seeker response efforts
- The asylum application help center, a first-in-the-nation initiative, has completed nearly 100,000 applications for asylum, work authorization, and temporary protected status
Molly Schaefer
0:35:15
Since the spring of twenty twenty two, we have opened more than two fifty eight emergency shelter sites and provided healthcare, education, work training, jobs, legal support, and much more.
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Due to these efforts, over 189,000 migrants or 81% have taken the next steps in their journeys towards self sufficiency.
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This is a story of New York City stepping up, managing, and doing everything in our control during during a humanitarian crisis.
0:35:45
During our tenure, no family has slept in the street in our city.
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This administration announced the creation of Owasso in March 2023 as the central team managing the city's asylum seeker response efforts.
0:35:59
An unprecedented humanitarian moment required a dedicated infrastructure.
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Since then, our office has led interagency coordination of policy, data, and regulatory considerations, has led advocacy and strategic initiatives necessary to manage this continuing critical mission.
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Significant achievements to highlight include the activation of our first in the nation asylum application help center.
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Since opening the center in 2023, I'm proud to report we have completed nearly 100,000 applications for asylum work authorization and temporary protected status.
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Helping get people on the pathway to work and self sufficiency.
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We've opened satellite sites and partnered with non profits, law firms, as well as the state and federal government.
0:36:46
Our centers staffed with over 150 application assistants, immigration attorneys, and interpreters exemplify New York City's commitment to supporting individuals in their pursuit of the American dream.