The migrant crisis gripping New York City continues to exert immense pressure on its resources, with overtime costs for city employees, particularly those working in social services and homeless services, reaching unprecedented levels. For the second consecutive year, a significant portion of the city’s highest overtime earners are individuals directly involved in managing the influx of migrants. This underscores the strain placed on the city’s workforce and budget by the ongoing crisis. Fifty-one of the top 100 overtime earners in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, worked for the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), dedicating their time to assisting the migrant population. These individuals accumulated a minimum of 1,851 overtime hours each, showcasing the extraordinary demands of their roles.
Leading the list of overtime earners was Kashwayne Burnett, a DSS bookkeeper, who amassed a staggering 3,303 overtime hours. This translates to approximately 14 hours of work per day, every day of the week. Burnett’s overtime compensation amounted to $164,760, more than tripling his base salary of $60,445. Following closely behind were Bardhan Pijush, a DSS caseworker with 3,137 overtime hours, and Gavin McAuley, a DHS housekeeper who clocked 2,664 overtime hours. This concentration of overtime within DSS and DHS reflects the frontline nature of these departments in addressing the migrant situation. The sheer volume of overtime hours accumulated by these individuals points to the overwhelming workload and the city’s reliance on extended work hours to manage the crisis.
The escalating overtime costs within DSS and DHS represent a stark contrast to pre-crisis levels. In fiscal year 2022, only three employees from these departments ranked among the top 100 overtime earners. This number surged to 47 in fiscal year 2023 and further increased to 51 in fiscal year 2024, demonstrating the direct correlation between the migrant influx and the increased demand for city services. The migrant crisis, which began in April 2022, has brought over 226,900 asylum seekers and other border crossers to New York City, significantly impacting the workload of DSS and DHS staff. The sheer number of individuals needing assistance has stretched the capacity of these departments, necessitating extensive overtime to provide essential services.
The financial implications of the migrant crisis are substantial. As of December 15, 2024, the city was housing approximately 53,800 migrants in taxpayer-funded shelters, with the total cost of managing the crisis reaching $6.5 billion. The combined overtime hours for DSS and DHS in fiscal year 2024 reached a staggering 2,959,114 hours, resulting in overtime payouts exceeding $139.4 million. This represents a 67% increase from the 1,770,634 overtime hours worked in fiscal year 2021, before the migrant crisis began. Overtime earnings have nearly doubled since then, rising from $72.3 million. The 10% increase in overtime hours from fiscal year 2023 to 2024, coupled with the escalating costs, underscores the ongoing and potentially increasing financial burden on the city.
Experts warn that the financial repercussions of the migrant crisis are far from over. Ken Girardin, director of research at the Empire Center for Public Policy, emphasizes that New York taxpayers will continue to bear the cost of the federal government’s border policies, with these substantial expenses likely to persist for at least another year. This projection highlights the long-term financial challenges facing the city in addressing the needs of the migrant population. The ongoing influx of migrants necessitates a sustainable and financially viable approach to providing essential services while minimizing the strain on city resources.
While acknowledging the immense challenges posed by the migrant crisis, DSS spokesperson Neha Sharma expressed gratitude for the dedication of the agency’s staff. She emphasized their commitment to providing crucial support to both newly arrived migrants and long-term New Yorkers in need, highlighting the crucial role these individuals play in the city’s response to the crisis. This acknowledgement underscores the human element of the crisis, recognizing the dedication and hard work of city employees who are working tirelessly to address the complex and evolving challenges associated with the influx of migrants. However, the long-term sustainability of relying heavily on overtime remains a critical concern that requires a comprehensive and strategic solution.
