Mayor Eric Adams of New York City has issued a rallying cry for New Yorkers to take their grievances about the migrant crisis directly to Washington D.C.. In an impassioned briefing, Adams expressed frustration with the federal government’s inadequate response to the city’s challenges in managing the influx of migrants.
Adams emphasized the need for a collective voice in D.C. to highlight the unfair burden shouldered by New York City. His plea marks an escalation in his criticism of the Biden administration, accusing it of leaving New York to single-handedly address the needs of tens of thousands of migrants.
The mayor’s call extends beyond government circles; he has also urged the city’s wealthiest to contribute financially to mitigate the impact of budget cuts on city services. These cuts, necessitated by the migrant crisis, have led to significant reductions across various municipal departments, including a freeze on hiring, decreased trash services, and a projected record low in NYPD staffing.
Facing criticism over his handling of the situation, Adams has consistently redirected the focus to the federal level. He challenged New Yorkers, including local officials like Comptroller Brad Lander, to lobby for more substantial federal assistance. This stance was evident during a recent town hall in Queens, where he confronted a resident’s concerns about city service cuts by questioning their participation in protests against federal inaction.
The federal government has provided some support, including staffing for asylum paperwork and a temporary migrant facility at Floyd Bennett Field, but the assistance amounts to a modest $145 million – a fraction of what’s needed. Adams asserts that educating New Yorkers about the federal origins of the asylum seeker issue is not shifting responsibility but rather connecting them to the root cause of the city’s challenges.
