Soros-Backed Group Maps New York for Migrants

A nationwide effort to identify American communities suitable for increased immigration includes four counties in New York State, according to research conducted by a Washington-based policy organization.

The Niskanen Center developed the Migration Match Index, examining employment opportunities, housing availability, affordability, and population demographics to determine where migrants could be encouraged to settle.

The index examined 3,144 counties and county equivalents nationwide, identifying 484 counties across 44 states as suitable for additional immigration. In New York, it identifies Monroe, Ontario, Saratoga, and Warren counties as potential destinations.

The project received national attention after an investigation by Natalie Winters, co-host of Steve Bannon’s War Room, reported that the Niskanen Center's immigration program received $300,000 from the Open Society Foundations between September 2024 and February 2026.

The organization was founded by billionaire George Soros, a major Democratic Party donor and financier of progressive political causes, including immigration advocacy, criminal justice reform, and efforts to elect left wing candidates across the globe.

Additional funding came from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Migration Policy Institute.

The Niskanen Center supports direct immigrant sponsorship by local governments and private organizations, potentially expanding resettlement efforts beyond traditional federal programs.

According to the study, communities with aging populations, labor shortages, and available rental housing could benefit from additional foreign-born residents.

The findings have fueled allegations that organized immigration and resettlement efforts are part of a broader Democratic strategy to repopulate American communities and alter their political demographics.

New York leads the nation in outmigration and stands to lose additional seats in Congress if the population exodus continues, further diminishing the state’s political influence in Washington.

Critics contend that identifying specific counties for increased immigration raises concerns about whether certain areas are being targeted for political purposes, potentially changing their population makeup and future voting patterns.

Winters questioned whether private organizations and federally supported immigration initiatives should influence the demographic makeup of American communities without greater public involvement.

The report also discusses using its findings to plan refugee resettlement following humanitarian emergencies or increased asylum-seeker arrivals.