NBC News recently interviewed several migrant women who sell candy and fruit on New York City subway platforms. The women, often seen with their young children, refused to share their stories out of fear of facing legal consequences. However, with the help of an outreach project called Algun Dia, NBC News was able to connect with Lorena, a mother who arrived in the U.S. from Ecuador with her husband and 3-year-old daughter. While waiting for her asylum and work authorization, Lorena earns about $50 a day selling fruit while carrying her daughter on her back.
Selling food without a license is illegal in New York City and can result in fines of $1,000 or more. The city has issued over 3,000 summonses to unlicensed vendors this year. Food vending licenses cost $50, but additional permits are required to operate mobile units like pushcarts. The city has a closed waitlist for permits, leaving many vendors like Lorena with no legal means of selling. Lorena continued to sell without a license despite knowing the risks because it was the only option her family had after a dangerous journey to the U.S.
New York City has over 47,000 migrant families with children staying in the shelter system. The city-run Promise NYC program partners with local organizations to provide free child care to migrant children through subsidy payments to child care centers. This program is especially beneficial for families who do not qualify for other child care programs due to their immigration status. A survey by Algun Dia found that 84% of migrant vendors were selling out of necessity because of a lack of child care.
Since its launch, Promise NYC has continued to grow, with an approved budget of $25 million for the following year. This funding is enough to support a thousand children with child care. The program aims to assist families like Lorena’s by providing opportunities for their children to attend day care centers. After speaking with NBC News, Algun Dia was able to secure a spot for Lorena’s daughter at a nearby day care center, bringing relief to Lorena as she continues to wait for legal authorization to work and live in the U.S.
Lorena shared the harrowing story of her journey to the U.S., which involved dangerous jungles, encounters with thieves, and other horrors. She recounted hiding money inside her daughter’s diapers to protect it from thieves. Despite the challenges she faced, Lorena was determined to give her only child a chance at a better life. The news that her daughter would be able to attend day care brought Lorena to tears as she expressed the hardships she endured as a mother.
The need for child care among migrant families with children in New York City is evident, as many vendors like Lorena are forced to bring their children along while selling on subway platforms. Promise NYC and other support programs aim to address this need by providing free child care services, allowing parents to work and support their families. By raising awareness about these programs and expanding funding, the city hopes to continue assisting migrant families and easing some of the challenges they face in New York City.
