Inside an effort to get migrants work permits

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: It was a model of efficiency. A work permit clinic that organizers want replicated and scaled up. For two weeks, a lower Manhattan office space served as an example of how government, immigrant advocates and volunteers can pool resources to help migrants tackle the daunting process of applying for work authorization. It was the first time that New York city, state and federal workers had collaborated to guide people through submitting applications for employment authorization documents, or EADs, on site, organizers told Playbook exclusively. “This is what we’ve been asking for: For every level of government to come together and to work with community partners and to support our newest New Yorkers in a way in which we had been envisioning since the first buses started arriving here,” said Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition. The pop-up clinic screened 2,000 people — some arriving for their appointments proudly wearing their Sunday best — and got 1,700 applied for work permits. The NYIC and Immigrant ARC coordinated it with other organizations, helped by 100 volunteers, including lawyers. The city identified migrants in its shelters who are eligible for work permits and made the appointments. The state provided the 25 Beaver Street space and supplies. And the federal government waived application fees, captured biometrics and took the forms for processing. No mailing necessary. The clinic closed last week. Scaling it up would take substantial planning, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services playing a crucial role and perhaps nonprofits to again take the lead, organizers said. There are smaller such efforts around the city and state, though with not as many hands on deck. But 25 Beaver Street was a glimpse into a new phase, one of fewer migrants in shelters and more of them working. “It’s not a social service,” Camille Mackler, executive director of Immigrant ARC, told Playbook. “It’s actually an economic investment because, whatever their reasons for coming here, they want to work.” She added of the people who came through the clinic: “Folks felt like they were finally doing something to actually help them move their life forward and out of this limbo that they’ve been in.” — Emily Ngo HAPPY FRIDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE’S KATHY? In Albany with no public schedule. WHERE’S ERIC? Calling in to “The Reset Talk Show” on Good Music, Good Times LIVE, meeting with Bill Clinton, welcoming new employees to the Mayor’s Office, speaking at a Manhattan synagogue’s shabbat service in solidarity with Israel, appearing on Univision New York. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This is petty. This is petty. And I’m getting frickin’ tired of it.” — Rep. Nicole Malliotakis on the food fight among Republicans trying to settle on a House speaker, which fell into further disarray when Rep. Steve Scalise dropped out of the running Thursday night. GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We’re stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here. ABOVE THE FOLD Housing advocate Jabari Brisport protests outside then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office. After publicly calling out Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Socialist State Sen. Jabari Brisport could be in for trouble come next year's election. | Brittainy Newman/AP Photo “HE’S NEXT”: Democratic Socialist State Sen. Jabari Brisport has trouble ahead in 2024 from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ team. Jeffries backed Chris Banks’ City Council primary win over longtime rival Charles Barron this summer. Now, “there is some talk of Jabari Brisport,” a Democratic operative familiar with Jeffries’ political operation told Playbook. “Word is, he’s next.” When Jeffries was picked to lead the House Democrats, Brisport publicly called him out for helping primary challengers to left wing incumbents. That ruffled feathers among the Brooklyn congressmember’s supporters, and “Jeffries has the memory of an elephant,” the operative said. Of course the mutual animosity goes back even further, as Jeffries has made clear his disdain for the “virtue signalers” on the left. Brisport is a member of the NYC-DSA and has the organization’s support. There’s a lot of time until the June 2024 primary, but it could be a test of whether DSA’s messaging on the war between Israel and Hamas hurts its ability to build coalitions with more moderate groups. André Richardson, strategist who’s close to Jeffries, told Playbook that Brisport was absent in his district and silent on “this painful issue.” Brisport hasn’t released a statement since Hamas militants attacked Israel Saturday, and Richardson said he’s “turning a blind eye to the barbaric terrorist attack against the state of Israel.” A challenge wouldn’t be easy though. There’s no candidate yet, and Brisport is very strong in his central Brooklyn district. He won 70 percent of the primary vote last year against two challengers — one of whom, Conrad Tillard, was endorsed by Mayor Eric Adams. “In 2022, Democratic leaders in N.Y. spent precious resources unsuccessfully primarying the left wing of the party and let Republicans take the House. It would be deeply destructive for Team Jeffries to repeat that error in 2024,” Brisport said in a statement. “I’m not playing political chess, I’m fighting for the literal survival of the community that raised me; I’m going to continue standing with them and speaking truth to power — even when it’s hard, even when it’s scary, and even when it makes enemies of powerful people who want us divided and docile.” — Jeff Coltin WHAT CITY HALL IS READING New York City Councilmember Inna Vernikov stands in front of a desk at a stated meeting. New York City Councilmember Inna Vernikov at a stated meeting of the council on Oct. 5, 2023 | John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit DEFINE “CONCEALED CARRY:” Photos posted on X show City Councilmember Inna Vernikov wore a gun on her hip while counterprotesting a pro-Palestine rally outside Brooklyn College Thursday. Vernikov, a Republican, has a concealed carry license, but attorney Ali Najmi said she appeared to be breaking state law by possessing a gun at a protest. Vernikov is Jewish and has been vocal in support of Israel while claiming the rally would make CUNY campuses unsafe. An NYPD spokesperson told Playbook there were no arrests or incidents reported related to Thursday’s protest. Vernikov didn’t respond to a request for comment, but posted a video from the student protest, saying “If you are here, standing today with these people, you’re nothing short of a terrorist without the bombs.” New York City politicians carrying guns is exceedingly rare, despite Mayor Adams’ pre-election pronouncements. Democratic State Sen. Julia Salazar said on X “There is no excuse, none whatsoever, for an elected official to bring a firearm to a college campus in New York.” — Jeff Coltin THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE TURN SLOWLY: Lawyers for the six Adams’ donors charged with running a straw donor scheme appeared in court for a routine scheduling hearing. They’re expected back in court next on Feb. 27 for a decision on motions. All the defendants, including Adams’ longtime acquaintance Dwayne Montgomery, pleaded not guilty in July. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — With four years to close Rikers Island, the population of detainees has grown and the plan to shutter the penal complex is faltering with no clear fix in sight. (POLITICO) — The local news outlet Hell Gate is suing City Hall for not releasing Adams’ communications with the owner of his favorite nightclub (Hell Gate) WHAT ALBANY'S READING August 08, 2023- Bronx, NY- Governor Hochul, Mayor Adam, NYCEDC, Community leaders unveil vision for redevelopment of historic Kingsbridge Armory, $200 Million investment in economic opportunities for bronxites Gov. Kathy Hochul hosted a fundraiser for the state's Democratic Party on Thursday. | Darren McGee/ Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul HOCHUL HELPS N.Y. DEMS: A fundraiser hosted by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday took in more than $1 million for the state Democratic Party, a person familiar with the event told Playbook. The money is being earmarked as part of the larger effort to help fund a coordinated campaign at the state level to boost Democrats running in key House races next year. Hochul’s appearance at the 7 World Trade Center fundraiser came alongside host Larry Silverstein. It was also attended by Jeff Blau, Bill and Samantha Rudin and New York AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, as well as Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. The money raised at the event comes on top of the $1.5 million Hochul took in for the state party in July. — Nick Reisman WALL STREET WOES: Profits from the financial sector dropped during the first six months of the year by 4.3 percent — yet another indication New York is facing a tough state budget negotiation going into 2024. The report released Thursday by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office found Wall Street profits reached $13 billion in the first half of the year and largely returned to pre-pandemic revenue levels. But New York relies heavily on the financial industry as an important source of tax revenue. Any decline in Wall Street can often be a symptom of a difficult state budget year. “It’s additional evidence that the budget Governor Hochul presents in January is going to be the most difficult since the Great Recession,” said Ken Girardin, an analyst with the right-leaning Empire Center think tank. At the progressive Fiscal Policy Institute, Executive Director Nathan Gusdorf was less concerned. “Tax receipts are stable — and in the event of an economic downturn, the state is well positioned to manage lower receipts due to its robust reserves,” he said. Hochul has already stuffed billions of additional dollars into the state’s rainy day fund that could be used to offset a decline in money coming into the state. But her Division of Budget is also projecting a $9 billion budget gap for next year and $13 billion gap the following year. — Nick Reisman For more information, visit us at https://www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com/.