Mamdani Says He Can't Pay For School Improvements, But Spends Billions On Migrants

Mamdani previously supported a plan to hire more teachers and build classrooms to keep class sizes small. His 2027 budget includes $122 million for new teachers and $1.5 billion for classroom construction, yet the city remains more than $13.01 billion behind its class-size goal. The budget’s shortfall could be addressed by reassessing spending on asylum seekers and migrants, which totaled $1.41 billion in 2023, $3.70 billion in 2024, and $3.02 billion in 2025. Mamdani reaffirmed sanctuary-city status through an executive order and intends to pursue a “new path of defiance through compassion.” He also extended the class-size plan without an apparent end date, framing the delay as beneficial for students.

"Mamdani's 2027 budget, which he unveiled last week, includes $122 million for new teachers and $1.5 billion for classroom construction. That may seem like a sizable investment - but according to New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, this budget puts the city more than $13.01 billion behind its goal to keep class sizes small."

"If Mamdani wanted to find the money, he could re-evaluate the billions of dollars the city spends on its migrant population. New York City spent $1.41 billion for asylum seeker cash, rent, and food assistance and services 2023, $3.70 billion in 2024, and $3.02 billion in 2025."

"Mamdani, who signed an executive order reaffirming New York's sanctuary city status shortly after taking office, plans to pursue "a new path of defiance through compassion" where New York cares for everyone regardless of whether they pay taxes or not."

"During his budget unveiling, Mamdani said he "refuses to kick structural challenges down the road for someone else to solve later." For that reason, Mamdani has declared an "extension" for the class size plan - an extension that does not appear to have an end date."

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