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Commissioner's Biography
Commissioner Manuel Castro, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
Manuel Castro serves as the Commissioner for the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), the largest office of its kind in the country. MOIA is dedicated to serving New York City’s 3.3 million immigrant New Yorkers, who come from over 160 countries and speak more than 700 languages and dialects.
Personal Journey: At the age of five, Manuel crossed the border with his mother and grew up undocumented in New York City. He was part of the early generation of young immigrant activists known as DREAMers, advocating for immigration reform and access to college education. These experiences profoundly shaped his commitment to social justice and a career in service of people. His journey from an undocumented child to a NYC commissioner is often highlighted within the community and in the press as a source of inspiration and empowerment.
Humanitarian Crisis Response: During his tenure, Manuel has played a significant role in coordinating responses to the arrival of over 200,000 migrants and asylum seekers to NYC. He personally welcomed hundreds of arriving migrants, managed immediate support at the Port Authority bus terminal, and addressed the press from around the world. MOIA has collaborated on a comprehensive emergency response strategy, including the creation of arrival centers, emergency shelters, and initiatives to support newly arrived immigrants. The Commissioner has also led advocacy campaigns in collaboration with cities across the country to advocate for federal immigration system reforms and support for welcoming localities.
Innovative Programs: The Commissioner has spearheaded the establishment of ambitious and innovative programs for both newly arrived and long-term immigrant New Yorkers, including Asylum Seeker Navigation Centers in partnership with Catholic Charities and community organizations, an Asylum Seeker Legal Assistance Network with CUNY and legal nonprofits, and collaboration with cities nationwide to advocate for federal immigration reforms. He has also expanded a network of MOIA Immigrant Legal Support Centers to over 25 locations, created English learning centers in nearly 100 locations with community organizations and public libraries, and developed an expanded language access team and the MOIA Language Access Hub for citywide coordination. Additionally, he initiated a public-private mentorship program matching over 500 newly arrived immigrants with longer-term residents. Under his leadership, MOIA has dispersed over $25 million to immigrant-serving nonprofits.
Prior Experience: Before his appointment as Commissioner, Manuel spent nearly twenty years as a dedicated immigrant rights advocate. He served as Executive Director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) and led advocacy campaigns for the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC).
Awards and Recognitions: The Commissioner has received numerous awards, including the David Prize Award, the Alexander Hamilton Immigrant Achievement Award, and the YMCA Hispanic Achiever Award. He has been named among NYC’s most influential individuals on lists such as City & State’s NYC “Power 100" list of the city's top leaders and New York State’s "Latino 100."
Media Engagement: The Commissioner is a frequent speaker and commentator on issues impacting immigrant communities. He has been extensively featured in media outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, and Univision. The Washington Post wrote a feature of the Commissioner highlighting his personal story and role in welcoming immigrants. He actively engages with ethnic media to bridge communication between the city and its diverse immigrant communities.
Education: The Commissioner earned a Master's in Public Administration from Baruch College and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Communications from Hampshire College.