New York City Councilwoman Gale Brewer is asking the city to provide free dental care for undocumented migrants after spending $8,000 to $10,000 (₹6.6 to ₹8.3 lakh approx.) from her own pocket to help several individuals in need of urgent treatment.
Brewer, who represents Manhattan’s Upper West Side and is known for her liberal views, said she had been paying privately for dental care for migrants who couldn’t afford it.
“I’ve already paid $8,000 to $10,000 out of my own pocket,” she said at a budget hearing last week. “This is not sustainable. The city must do something.”
Her comments have sparked a political debate, especially as New York faces financial strain while managing the ongoing migrant crisis. Over 180,000 migrants have arrived in the city since 2022, and officials say more are coming.
While the city has offered temporary shelter, food, and limited health services to undocumented individuals, dental care is not included in the official support structure.
Brewer described cases where people came to her with serious dental infections or broken teeth but had no access to proper treatment. “They’re in pain, and they’re coming to us because they have nowhere else to go,” she explained.
Critics of her proposal argue that offering free dental care to undocumented migrants would add pressure on already stretched resources and might send the wrong message.
Councilman Bob Holden, a Democrat from Queens who leans more conservative, responded, “Our citizens are struggling to get dental care themselves. How do we justify giving free services to people who are here illegally?”
But Brewer insisted it’s a matter of basic dignity and health. She said untreated dental issues can lead to more serious infections and even hospitalization, which would cost the city even more in the long run. “This isn’t just about teeth. It’s about pain, infection, and preventing emergencies,” she said.
Brewer is now pushing the city to allocate funds for a dental program that would cover undocumented migrants, especially those living in shelters.
She believes the city already provides free dental care to other underserved groups and that the same should be extended to migrants.
New York City’s Department of Health does offer limited dental services for low-income residents, but these typically exclude undocumented migrants unless they meet specific emergency criteria.
Advocates for immigrant rights support Brewer’s proposal. “We’ve been saying for years that healthcare, including dental care, should be a human right — not a privilege based on immigration status,” said one spokesperson from a local advocacy group. “Councilwoman Brewer is showing leadership when others are silent.”
Still, many New Yorkers are divided. While some say it’s important to help those in need, others feel the system is being stretched too far.
Social media reactions to the story show a mix of praise for Brewer’s compassion and criticism over how city funds should be used.
This debate comes at a time when Mayor Eric Adams has warned about budget cuts due to the rising costs of managing the migrant influx.
In November, Adams announced that the city could no longer afford to provide the same level of services to everyone, including cuts to libraries, schools, and emergency programs.
As for Brewer, she remains firm. “I’m not going to turn away someone who’s suffering because they don’t have documents,” she said. “But the city should help. I can’t keep doing this alone.”
The City Council has not yet approved any official funding for such a dental program, but discussions are ongoing as part of the city’s upcoming budget negotiations.