The article discusses the challenges faced by migrant women in New York City who sell candy and fruit in subway stations to support their families. Many of these women, like Lorena, arrived in the U.S. with their children and have applied for asylum and work authorization. While waiting for legal permission, they continue to sell fruit without a license, risking fines of $1,000 or more. Lorena shared the hardships she faced during her journey to the U.S., including hiding money in her daughter’s diapers to prevent theft.
New York City officials reported that over 47,000 migrant families with children are staying in the shelter system. To address some of the challenges faced by these families, the city has implemented Promise NYC, a program that provides free childcare through subsidy payments to child care centers for migrant children. The program aims to support families who do not qualify for other child care programs due to their immigration status. Since its launch, the program’s budget has grown to $25 million and will be able to accommodate a thousand children next year.
Algun Dia, an outreach project for migrant vendors, conducted a survey that found that 84% of individuals were vending out of necessity due to lack of childcare. Many families struggle to find safe and affordable care for their children while they work to support their families. Programs like Promise NYC aim to alleviate some of these challenges by providing subsidized child care to migrant families, ensuring that children are cared for while their parents work.
Lorena expressed relief and gratitude when she learned that her daughter was able to attend a day care center. She shared her emotional journey as a mother and the sacrifices she made to give her daughter a better life. Despite the risks and challenges they face, many migrant women continue to sell food illegally in order to provide for their families. The city has issued more than 3,000 summonses to unlicensed vendors this year, but the demand for vending permits exceeds the supply.
Amidst the struggles faced by migrant families in New York City, programs like Promise NYC are making a positive impact by providing childcare support to children of migrant vendors. The need for accessible and affordable childcare for migrant families continues to be a pressing issue, but initiatives like Promise NYC are working to address this need. These programs are essential in ensuring that migrant families have the support and resources they need to thrive in a new country, despite the many challenges they may face.
