Mayor Adams's Congressional Hearing on Immigration Policies

By Y.M. Lowy

Mayor Eric Adams appeared before Congress on Wednesday in a heated hearing over immigration policies, joining the mayors of Boston, Chicago, and Denver. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee questioned them on their cities’ sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with immigration enforcement.

The Trump administration has pledged to penalize cities that don’t cooperate with its planned mass deportation efforts. They suggested cutting federal funding to sanctuary cities and accused the mayors of defying federal law.

Adams defended his administration’s handling of the migrant crisis. New York City has spent over $7 billion to help 232,000 migrants since 2022. He also reiterated his plan to allow ICE agents back onto Rikers Island to assist with criminal investigations.

The hearing grew tense as Republicans blamed migrants for crime, while Democrats pushed back, arguing that Trump’s immigration policies were the real issue. 

“I just think it’s unfair for cities to inherit national problems,” Adams said. “And when you do that, you have to step up, and I think that’s what we did in the city. And I’m going to share that.”

Adams continued by stating his oft-repeated declaration that law-abiding immigrants benefit the city, but those who commit crimes should be removed.