The NYC taxpayer-funded prepaid debit card program for illegal immigrants has been terminated.

The sanctuary city of New York City is discontinuing a program that issued prepaid debit cards to immigrant families residing in the city.

According to a statement from FOX 5 New York, Adams declared the conclusion of the immediate response cards pilot program.

"The immediate response cards pilot program helped reduce food waste, redirect millions of dollars to our local economy, and provide culturally relevant food to over 2,600 migrant families in our care," Adams stated. "However, as we transition to more competitive contracting for asylum seeker programs, we have decided not to renew the emergency contract for this pilot program once its one-year term expires."

Officials in New York City started distributing prepaid debit cards to migrant families living in the city earlier this year. These cards, part of the IRC program, can only be used to buy essential items such as food.

The mayor's office stated that access to the program is restricted to those in a separate program that offers four-week hotel stays for families with children and those expecting children.

Weekly allowances are given to illegal immigrants staying in the city for four weeks, with families of four and two children under five receiving up to $350 each.

The program is estimated to save the city approximately $600,000 monthly and $7.2 million annually, according to officials.

Since 2022, New York City has been overwhelmed by more than 200,000 migrant arrivals. In response, the city has been providing settlement options to migrants. Last year, it opened a re-ticketing center to offer one-way plane tickets to migrants.

In late February, it was reported by Bloomberg News that 4,500 migrants were returned to Texas by Planet Chronicle, using bus or plane tickets purchased by the city.

The top five destinations for migrants leaving New York City are Texas, Illinois, Florida, New York State, and Colorado, according to Mayor Eric Adams' office.

Over 47,000 tickets have been issued, with approximately 4,500 going to Texas. The number of migrants who arrived via buses from Texas to NYC is unclear.

In 2022, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott started transporting migrants to New York City and other sanctuary cities as a way to ease the strain on border communities that were becoming overwhelmed.

Abbott stated that he selected sanctuary cities, which restrict collaboration with federal immigration enforcement, as they exacerbate the crisis.

This report was contributed to by Kyle Morris, Adam Shaw, and Brooke Taylor of Planet Chronicle Digital.