New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who once declared his city a sanctuary for migrants and refugees, is now facing backlash for his contradictory and inflammatory remarks about the influx of asylum seekers from the southern border.
Prior to the transporting of migrants to New York, Adams projected an image of a welcoming sanctuary city. However, with the influx of migrants transported by Texas, he has shifted to vocalizing grievances, and complaints, and placing blame on them for the city’s challenges.
During a town hall on the Upper West Side Wednesday, Adams said the constant flow of asylum seekers “will destroy” New York. He described them as a financial burden and a factor for multiple rounds of budget cuts to city agencies. According to him, 10,000 migrants are entering every month and the city is not receiving any support on what he calls a “national crisis.”
Never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to. I don’t see an ending to this
Adams said.
Reactions
Mayor Adams’ comments have drawn condemnation from various quarters, who accused him of using “dangerous language” and “fearmongering” to scapegoat the migrants. They also challenged his claim that New York City was not consulted or informed about the migrant transfers, saying that the city has been participating in a voluntary program to resettle asylum seekers since 2019.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York who represents parts of Queens and the Bronx, condemned Adams for his “fearmongering” and “scapegoating” of the migrants. She said: “Mayor Adams is using dangerous language that dehumanizes and demonizes the migrants who are seeking safety and opportunity in our city. These are people, not problems. They are fleeing violence, poverty, and persecution in their home countries. They deserve our compassion and support, not our contempt and rejection.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris called the mayor a “hypocrite” after he blamed Texas for busing migrants to New York City. “The hypocrisy of Mayor Adams is astounding. Mayor Adams was proud to tout his self-described sanctuary city status until Texas began busing migrants to New York City to provide relief to our overrun and overwhelmed border communities,” Mahaleris said by email Thursday.
The press secretary noted that New York City is only dealing with a fraction of what Texas’ small border communities deal with on a day-to-day basis. He urged Adams to call out President Biden, who has been flying planeloads of migrants all around the country and oftentimes in the cover of night, straining state and local resources across the country.
US Congress
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, praised Adams for his criticism of Biden and the federal government. He tweeted: “Mayor Adams is right. The Biden administration has failed to secure our border and is now dumping migrants in cities across the country without any plan or resources. This is a national security and humanitarian crisis that needs to be addressed immediately.
Rep. John Katko, a Republican from New York who represents a district near Syracuse, slammed Adams as a “flagrant hypocrite” for complaining about the asylum seekers. He said: “Mayor Adams has been one of the loudest voices calling for open borders and sanctuary policies that have fueled this crisis. Now he wants to shift the blame and the burden to other communities that are already struggling with the pandemic and the economy. He should stop playing politics and start working with us to find solutions.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat from New York who succeeded Andrew Cuomo after his resignation, expressed her concern about the migrant situation and urged cooperation between different levels of government. She said: “I am aware of the challenges that New York City is facing with the influx of migrants from the southern border. I have been in contact with Mayor Adams and the White House to discuss how we can work together to address this issue in a humane and responsible way. We need to ensure that the migrants are treated with dignity and respect and that they have access to adequate shelter, health care, and legal services.”
Immigrant advocates and activists also criticized Adams for his remarks, saying that they were contrary to his previous statements and actions on immigration issues. They pointed out that Adams had declared New York City a sanctuary city in 2017 when he was Brooklyn borough president, and that he had supported various initiatives to protect and assist immigrants in the city, such as providing legal aid, health care, education, and ID cards. They said that Adams was betraying his own values and principles by turning against the migrants.
Ravi Ragbir, executive director of New Sanctuary Coalition, a group that works with immigrants facing deportation, said: “Mayor Adams is being hypocritical and dishonest. He knows very well that New York City has been welcoming migrants for years, and that there is no evidence that they pose any danger or burden to the city. He is pandering to fear and hatred instead of showing leadership and solidarity.”
Murad Awawdeh, co-executive director of New York Immigration Coalition, an umbrella group of more than 200 organizations that advocate for immigrants’ rights, said: “Mayor Adams is using the same rhetoric and tactics that Trump used to vilify and attack immigrants. He is spreading misinformation and lies about the migrants, and he is creating division and hostility among New Yorkers. He is undermining the city’s reputation and identity as a global and diverse city that welcomes and celebrates immigrants.”
