New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday tried to clear up how he intends to navigate federal immigration policies against the backdrop of governing a sanctuary city and the impending closure of the Roosevelt Hotel, a major intake center and shelter for asylum seekers arriving in New York.
After the U.S. Department of Justice ordered federal prosecutors on Feb. 10 to drop the corruption case against Adams, critics of the mayor have said he is beholden to the Trump administration and is curtailing his duties to protect illegal immigrants in the city as the sanctuary city law requires him to do.
The mayor, who has not had an in-person press conference in about three weeks, said the closure of the Roosevelt Hotel, as well as 53 other sites, was due to the decline of migrant arrivals. He reassured that asylum seekers currently in city shelters will finish off their 30- to 60-day cylce in either their current or other locations.
“We did not successfully move 180,000 people out of the system by breaking policies,” said Adams.
Adams stated that New York is averaging 350 new migrants a week; a drastic turn compared to the height of the crisis in 2023 where the average was 4,000.
After meeting with Border Czar Tom Homan on Feb. 13, Adams said he is set to finalize an executive order that will allow for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to be in placed at Rikers Island. “I am in alignment with whatever we have to do legally to keep our city safe,” said Adams.
The mayor, however, also said: “The city is a sanctuary city. You know, that's what the law requires for us. So they should believe that is the case. But I cannot be any clearer. If you come here thinking you're going to commit a violent crime, this is not the place for you."
Meanwhile, the mayor has been dealing with a leadership crisis at City Hall after four deputy mayors resigned. After being called to make a decision about removing the mayor from office, Governor Kathy Hochul decided against it but instead placed some oversight into City Hall decisions.
“I wasn't concerned about being removed because I knew I did nothing wrong," Adams said. "And you have to, all of you have to ask yourselves that there was this call from a lot of people who are running for office and some others on the fringes and many who have criticized our policies for years, remove them, remove them. Why? I mean, did anyone ask the question, why?”
He said he continues to have a great relationship with the governor.
Adams stated that he is set to start his reelection campaign with a petition and website possibly appearing next week. "Petitions will be in the streets. So please, if you see one with my name on it, please sign it."
The Democratic primary election is on June 24.
The mayor also touched on city's plan to provide major infrastructure and housing upgrades to Coney Island, noting that he started his policing career there and understands the area can use more opportunities and improvements.
