New York City has decided to end its refugee debit card program, which has been under constant criticism.
On the 7th, New York City announced that it would not extend the refugee debit card program that had been in operation since March and would end it at the end of December. The program was set to expire at the end of January next year.
The refugee debit card was introduced in response to criticism that a lot of the food in the lunch boxes provided to refugees arriving in New York City was being thrown away and was given to refugee families with children on the condition that they only purchase groceries and baby supplies.
New York City announced that if you use a refugee debit card to purchase unauthorized items such as alcohol or cigarettes, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits. A refugee family of four with two children under the age of five has been provided with a debit card that has about $350 in savings each week.
According to New York City, about $3.2 million in assistance has been provided to about 2,600 refugee families so far. Regarding this measure, New York City stated, “The fact that the number of refugees arriving in New York City has decreased for 14 consecutive weeks is also a reason for considering ending the program.”