Over 1,000 African migrants descend on New York City Hall to protest against 'anti-blackness' and plead for help getting work permits

Over 1,000 migrants gathered outside NYC City Hall on Tuesday ahead of a City Council oversight hearing focused on the experience of black arrivals.

The majority of attendees were from Haiti and Guinea, West Africa, and seeking more aid, better shelters and work permits, according to reports. 

Only 250 people were allowed inside the 10am hearing, but hundreds more flocked to the park across the street. 

Videos circulating on social media show the crowd chanting and cheering.

Some people were allegedly encouraged to attend under the false pretense they would receive green cards and work visas, and were led to City Hall by an activist group, a source told the New York Post. 

Hundreds of migrants have gathered outside NYC City Hall on Tuesday ahead of a City Council oversight hearing focused on the experience of Black migrants

A majority of the immigrants are reportedly from Haiti and Africa looking for more 'assistance and the ability to work'

City Councilmember Alexa Avilés, who serves as chair of the Committee on Immigration, organized the hearing to feature the testimony of undocumented African immigrants in the city's shelters. 

'Today's hearing centers the experiences of Black immigrants in NYC and has turned out over 1,000 people,' Avilés said in a post on X.

'We must uproot the anti-Blackness that plagues our systems of care - this work requires dedication, creativity, and a city willing to fund our short, mid, and long term needs.'

The crowd allegedly gathered under the false pretense that they would be receiving green cards and work visas

Prior to listening to the testimonies, the committee members heard from activists whose work focuses on providing services to African migrants

A bill to survey newly arrived migrants and asylum seekers to gather data on their skills, economic prospects, and barriers to employment growth is expected to be introduced at the hearing

A press released obtained by the New York Post said the City Council's Committee of Immigration and Committee on Hospitals held the joint hearing to 'understand how the [Adams] Administration is addressing language access barriers, cultural competency challenges, health needs and other roadblocks' new immigrants face.  

The release stated that prior to listening to the testimonies, committee members heard from activists whose work focuses on providing services to African migrants, The New York Post reported.

A bill was also expected to be introduced during the hearing that would require the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), in consultation with the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), to survey newly arrived migrants and asylum seekers to gather data on their skills, economic prospects, and barriers to employment growth.

'Black migrants, who are disproportionately harmed by every aspect of our immigration system, deserve language justice, dignity, and access to services,' Office of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander wrote in a post on X. 

City Councilmember Alexa Avilés, who serves as chair of the Committee on Immigration, organized the hearing to feature the testimony of undocumented African immigrants in the city's shelters.

'Thanks @CMAlexaAviles and @CMMercedesCD46 for holding this critical hearing—we need equity and anti-racism in everything we do.'

New York Mayor Eric Adams has been highly critical of the Biden administration and the influx of immigrants in sanctuary cities, referring to the issue as 'one of the largest humanitarian crises this city has ever experienced.'

The city has taken in more than 175,000 migrants, and are currently accommodating around 67,500, limiting them to a 30 day stay in a shelter to alleviate overflow.

DailyMail.com has previously reported on collapsing migrant programs as a result of racial tension between asylum seekers from Latin America and Africa.

Adams has estimated the city will spend $12 billion over the next three years to handle the influx, setting up large-scale emergency shelters, renting out hotels and providing various government services for migrants.