Mayor Adams Addresses Media on Migrant and Legal Issues

By Y.M. Lowy

New York City is facing many challenges, from a surge in migrant arrivals to the legal issues surrounding Mayor Eric Adams, therefore a media conference was held to get a view into the Mayor’s views on these topics.

The Roosevelt Hotel, which has served as a migrant intake center since May 2023, will close in the coming months. When asked if the drop in numbers at the Roosevelt Hotel had to do with new immigration policies, Mayor Adams explained that the decline started before President Trump’s new immigration policies took effect. “We saw seven straight months of decline long before the president came into office,” he said, attributing the drop to changes at the border that the city had long supported. 

He addressed concerns about sanctuary policies. When asked if migrants could expect protection, he stated, “The city is a sanctuary city. That’s what the law requires of us. So, they should believe that is the case.” However, he also warned those with criminal intent, saying, “If you come here thinking you’re going to commit a violent crime, this is not the place for you.”

He added, “There’s nothing humane about having individuals enter the country with no place to go, no sponsors here, no ability to take care of themselves, and pushing the cost of it onto cities. It’s just wrong.” 

Adams has faced criticism over his handling of migrant policies and the tense relationship between local and federal governments. Responding to a question about officials who recently spoke out on the crisis, he asked sarcastically, “Where were they when we were getting 4,000 migrants a week? I couldn’t get them to join me at a press conference. Now they’ve found their voices.” He also defended his changing stance on immigration, noting, “It didn’t matter if the president was a Democrat or Republican. I was fighting for New Yorkers,” while stressing the city’s reliance on immigrant labor and his continued push for work permits for undocumented migrants.

On Governor Hochul’s proposed new guardrails for his administration, Adams emphasized their strong working relationship, stating, “We’ve had a great relationship. Every time I called on the governor, she was there.” He noted that some of her requests require new laws, remarking, “There’s no legal reason to do this.” Despite differences, he stressed the importance of working together: “We’re going to come together and understand that we need to make this a safe place for children and families.”

Regarding his legal challenges, Adams stayed focused on running the city. “I will never do anything that’s going to endanger the lives of New Yorkers,” he said, acknowledging the difficulties of ongoing investigations. Despite this, he remained confident: “Crime is down, jobs are up, and this is the safest big city in America.” When asked about re-election, he replied firmly, “Yes, I’m running. Petitions will be in the streets,” and dismissed concerns about his leadership by adding, “I did nothing wrong.”

photo: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office