New York City Mayor Adams Praises Trump Administration’s Immigration Policies for Curbing Migrant Surge
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, has lauded the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions for significantly reducing the influx of migrants seeking shelter in the city. Adams stated that the reduction in migrant arrivals has exceeded 1,000% since the peak of the crisis under former President Joe Biden, marking a substantial improvement in the city’s capacity to manage the situation.
Adams’ stance on immigration has often diverged from the broader Democratic party platform. He has expressed a willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration, including border czar Tom Homan, on immigration enforcement measures targeting criminal illegal aliens. This collaboration has drawn criticism from some within his own party and the media.
Speaking at a press conference, Adams characterized the migrant crisis as "probably the largest humanitarian crisis the city has ever experienced." He emphasized his commitment to utilizing all legal means to ensure the safety and security of New York City. Adams attributed the decline in migrant arrivals to a combination of proactive city policies and federal immigration enforcement initiatives implemented both before and during President Donald Trump’s tenure.
The mayor addressed criticism regarding his cooperation with the Trump administration, stating, "They are helping me with the agenda that I stated the previous administration should have been helping me with, and I thank them for helping me with it." Adams highlighted the dramatic drop in monthly migrant arrivals, from a high of 4,000 to a current level of approximately 350.
The reduction in migrant arrivals, Adams said, aligns with the desires of the American people, who have communicated a clear need to "secure our border." He further emphasized the importance of responsible immigration policies, arguing that it is inhumane to allow individuals to enter the country without adequate support, sponsors, or the means to provide for themselves, while simultaneously burdening cities with the associated costs.
The reduced strain on the city’s resources has allowed the city to shutter one of its major migrant shelters, the historic Roosevelt Hotel. The hotel, once a popular tourist destination, had become plagued by crime and violence associated with migrant gangs, including the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, which was recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration. Adams indicated that the Roosevelt Hotel shelter would be closed in the "coming months."
"The Roosevelt Hotel opened May 2023, during the height of the crisis, when we received 4,000 people a week," Adams stated, underscoring the severity of the situation at its peak. "You just got to just really think about that. Four thousand people a week. And, thanks to our policies, we were down to an average of just 350 new arrivals."
New York City operates under a "right to shelter" mandate, legally obligating the government to provide shelter to individuals lacking alternative housing options. In response to the crisis, the Adams administration implemented changes to the shelter program, limiting the length of stay for certain groups, such as single adults, to 30- and 60-day periods. These policy adjustments, Adams explained, have "allowed us to get over 180,000 people out of our care and off taxpayers’ payroll." He added that the city has effectively processed almost 75% of the more than 223,000 migrants who have entered the city.
The Adams administration has also closed several other large migrant shelters, including a tent city shelter on Randalls Island and another at Floyd Bennett Field. In total, the city plans to close 53 shelter sites within a year, including the Roosevelt Hotel.
"We are helping asylum seekers take the next steps in their journeys, and we are saving taxpaying New Yorkers millions of dollars," Adams declared, emphasizing the dual benefits of the city’s approach.
The comments from Mayor Adams come as activists in Mexico report a significant decrease in the flow of migrants one month into the Trump administration. This observation further supports the assertion that the Trump administration’s policies have played a crucial role in managing the migrant situation.
Adams’ willingness to work with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement highlights a nuanced perspective on the issue, one that prioritizes the safety and financial well-being of New York City. While his stance may differ from some within the Democratic party, Adams has remained steadfast in his commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the migrant crisis in a pragmatic and effective manner. The closure of the Roosevelt Hotel shelter represents a tangible sign of progress in the city’s efforts to manage the situation and alleviate the burden on taxpayers.
