Officials in New York City marked the first day of school by announcing a new incentive program for bilingual teachers as the city's schools grapple with an influx of immigrant students.

During a press conference on the first day of school, New York City Department of Education Chancellor David Banks said that current teachers who have tenure in a given subject will automatically receive tenure in English language acquisition, if they are properly certified.

NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS INUNDATED WITH IMMIGRANT STUDENTS ON FIRST DAY: 'ANGRY AND CONCERNED'

The change in policy would allow more than 500 teachers in the city to begin teaching English to non-English-speaking students.

"There are currently over 500 tenured teachers who beyond their primary teaching licenses, hold additional licenses in English as a new language and bilingual education — over 500 who already have those licenses," Banks said. "These are very special teachers who can teach multiple subjects, but often they do not for fear of having to restart their tenure."

Banks made the announcement as New York City and its public schools are grappling with an influx of immigrants, many of whom were bused from border states such as Texas. By some estimates, New York City Public Schools has had to enroll an additional 19,000 students from the cohort of immigrants.

"We're excited for what this new year holds," Banks said. "We are welcoming all of these new migrant students into our schools with open arms. We know it's a larger political issue that the mayor and others have to deal with, but when they show up in our schools, they're gonna get the best that we have. If you want to see New York City public schools at its best, I invite you to visit the schools."

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The wave of immigrants has stressed the city's infrastructure, prompting Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) to implore President Joe Biden to provide assistance to the city.

Adams, in particular, has asked the administration to grant work visas to allow the immigrants to work legally in the United States and has openly criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the immigrant crisis.