After Federal End to Haitian TPS, NYC and Gov. Hochul Pledge Nearly $89M for Immigration Legal Aid

New York City Council leaders and Governor Kathy Hochul announced new local and state funding commitments after federal officials moved to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) work authorization for Haitian immigrants; Council Speaker Julie Menin said the City secured about $82 million for immigration legal services and Menin said the governor pledged more than $7 million to Legal Aid Services for unaccompanied minors during the Aug. 13, 2026 stated meeting. Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=218

# What’s happening
– The City Council secured about $82 million for immigration legal services.
– New York State pledged more than $7 million to Legal Aid Services.
– Federal funding for some legal-aid programs expired at the end of July 2026.
Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=301

# Why it matters
– Haitian immigrants who lose TPS work permits face deportation risk and income loss.
– Legal-aid funding determines whether affected New Yorkers can access representation.
Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=218

# Key details
– Meeting date: New York City Council stated meeting, August 13, 2026.
– City budget: approximately $82 million allocated for legal immigration services.
– State pledge: more than $7 million to Legal Aid Services for unaccompanied minors.
– Federal change: the administration announced ending TPS for Haitian nationals.
– Federal funding: some federal legal-aid contracts expired at the end of July 2026.
Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=301

Julie Menin, the City Council speaker, opened the Aug. 13 stated meeting by announcing the administration’s decision affecting Haitian TPS holders and the local response. Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=218

**Julie Menin**
– Role or jurisdiction: Speaker of the New York City Council.
– Action taken or responsibility: Announced city budget allocation and described local response to TPS changes.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Stated the council secured about $82 million for legal immigration services (Aug. 13, 2026).
Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=301

Menin said the federal administration announced an end to Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants and that the move strips many holders of work permits. Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=218

The speaker said the City Council had pushed budget priorities that resulted in roughly $82 million for immigration legal services in the city budget. Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=301

Menin announced that Governor Kathy Hochul told officials she would provide more than $7 million to Legal Aid Services to support unaccompanied minors. Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=301

**Kathy Hochul**
– Role or jurisdiction: Governor of New York State.
– Action taken or responsibility: Announced state funding to support legal aid for unaccompanied minors.
– Relevant numbers or dates: More than $7 million pledged (announced in August 2026).
Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=301

Menin named several council members representing large Haitian constituencies who she said are mobilizing legal-access and know-your-rights campaigns. She cited Mercedes Narcisse, Rita Joseph, Farah N. Louis, and Chi Ossé as leading local outreach and assistance. Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=218

The speaker said federal funding for some legal-aid programs expired at the end of July, increasing the urgency of city and state funding commitments. Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=301

The Aug. 13 stated meeting did not provide a line-item breakdown or a timeline for distributing the city’s approximately $82 million to specific providers or programs. Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=301

In earlier coverage and prior committee hearings, advocates described existing city programs that serve Haitian immigrants and asked for emergency stabilization funds; those materials noted the Haitian Response Initiative had a prior baseline of $1.6 million in FY26 and that advocates requested additional support for school-based and rapid-response legal services. (This is earlier coverage and committee testimony.) Source: https://getlocalpost.com/2026/08/14/hochul_and_nyc_commit_about-89m_for_immigrant_legal_aid_after-federal-funding_lapses-haitian-tps-ends/

City Council leadership said the council will continue to fund legal immigration services and work with state partners and community groups to expand outreach and representation capacity. Source: https://youtu.be/5ZWUSBHw1gE?t=301