Overview

• The mayor’s office agreed to allocate $33.6 million for free legal aid to low-income immigrants, a nearly eight-fold jump from the original $4.4 million proposal.
• An additional $41.1 million will fund legal representation for immigrant families and unaccompanied minors, bringing total investment in immigrant services to $74.7 million.
• By law the City Council must adopt the budget by Tuesday, the start of the 2026 fiscal year, leaving negotiators only days to settle outstanding issues.
• Officials had anticipated a ceremonial handshake between Mayor Adams and Speaker Adrienne Adams on Friday but still need to resolve funding for childcare and mental health programs.
• Sources described the talks as heated, with Council members like Justin Brannan and Brooklyn Councilwoman Alexa Aviles pushing back on initial offers they deemed insufficient.