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TESTIMONY
Molly Schaeffer, Interim Director, Mayor's Office of Asylum Seeker Operations (OASO) on the Comprehensive Response and Budget Impact of NYC's Asylum Seeker Operations
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Molly Schaeffer discusses the operations and budget of the Mayor's Office of Asylum Seeker Operations in response to the migrant crisis.
- New York City has provided support to over 181,000 asylum seekers since April 2022, reflecting a significant humanitarian commitment.
- The city anticipates spending over $4 billion on asylum seeker operations, with a staff of ten and a personnel budget of $1.7 million for OASO.
- OASO coordinates with multiple agencies, leading policy, data, budget, and regulatory efforts without directly managing shelter operations.
- Achievements include the establishment of the first asylum application help center, completing over 37,000 applications, and spearheading a 20% reduction in asylum seeker costs.
- Schaeffer emphasizes the administration's dedication to compassion, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility while addressing this humanitarian crisis.
Molly Schaeffer
0:20:03
Good morning, Cheri Villas.
0:20:06
And the Immigration And Finance committees.
0:20:09
My name is Molly Schafer, and I serve as the Interim Director of New York City's mayor's office of assigned Lunseeker operations, Owasso.
0:20:18
I'm grateful for the opportunity to discuss our office's budget and operational impact on the city's shelter operations.
0:20:26
Since April 2022, New York City has been leading the country's response to the migrant emergency, a national humanitarian crisis.
0:20:35
Providing critical support to over a 181,000 individuals who have sought refuge and received assistance from our system.
0:20:44
A number that reflects the sheer magnitude of our commitment to humanitarian aid and support.
0:20:50
We have led for the last 2 years with care and compassion and we cannot lose sight of the extraordinary scale of this emergency.
0:20:58
This year, New York City is projected to spend more than $4,000,000,000 on asylum seeker operations.
0:21:05
The city's $4,505,000,000 operation includes 5 sheltering agencies and more than 20 others supporting the response, a whole of government and society approach and a monumental undertaking to manage.
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Every week between 1500,000 new arrivals come into our system.
0:21:26
The scale and speed required to provide services and support people entering the city is unprecedented.
0:21:33
When we started this administration, there were 45,000 people in shelter.
0:21:37
It took 40 years to build that system.
0:21:40
And in less than 2 years, we have almost tripled that number to a 120,700 people.
0:21:46
With over 64,000 new arrivals currently in care.
0:21:51
More than 181,000 people have come through our intakes since spring of 2022 and we've opened more than 217 emergency sites to manage this humanitarian influx.
0:22:02
We've provided healthcare, education, work training, jobs, legal support and much much more.
0:22:09
This is a story of New York City stepping up and managing and doing everything possible with little to no support.
0:22:17
This administration announced Owasso in March 2023 as the central team managing the city's asylum seeker response offer.
0:22:24
The office was designed to lead interagency coordination of policy data, budget, and regulatory considerations.
0:22:31
Lead advocacy and lead strategic initiatives necessary to manage this critical mission.
0:22:38
1 of the proudest achievements of this administration is the 1st in the nation asylum application help center that opened last summer.
0:22:45
Since opening, I'm proud to report that we have completed over 37,000 asylum work and temporary protective status applications, helping get people on the pathway to work and legal citizenship.
0:22:57
We've opened 3 satellite sites and and partnered with nonprofits, law firms, and the state and federal government.
0:23:04
Our centers staffed with over a 150 application assistance, immigration attorneys, and interpreters exemplifies New York City's commitment to supporting individuals in their pursuit of the American dream.
0:23:19
Osso operates with a lean yet dedicated team of 10 full time staff with a personnel budget of 1,700,000 per year.
0:23:28
While Owasso serves as a vital coordinating entity leading the city's response, it's important to note that we do not directly manage shelter operations or oversee operational expenses or any contracts related to this work.
0:23:43
Owasso does not have an agency chief contracting officer or manage an OTPS budget.
0:23:49
Instead, we collaborate across city agencies to develop policies, support implementation, leverage t's across multiple sectors and drive informed decision making.
0:24:01
Owasso was created to move the city towards a more steady state of operations, and the proof of our progress is in the results.
0:24:09
In the preliminary plan, our office spearheaded a 20% reduction on a silum seeker costs, more than $1,700,000,000 in savings over fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025.
0:24:23
And we were able to do that without compromising services.
0:24:27
Let me say that again.
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We were able to accomplish this while responding to an unprecedented crisis more effectively and efficiently.
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That is a win both for New Yorkers and a win for people in our shelter systems.
0:24:40
We take our fiscal responsibility seriously and are now taking a 10% budget cut to ensure we're bringing our costs in line with DHS.
0:24:51
In closing, I wanna reiterate the this administration's unwavering commitment to upholding the values of compassion, efficiency and accountability as we navigate this complex humanitarian crisis.
0:25:05
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today, and I look forward to your questions.