At a town hall this week, New York City’s mayor sounded alarm bells about the city handling the influx of migrants, as the numbers skyrocketed in recent months.
Mayor Eric Adams told participants at the town hall meeting, “One hundred ten thousand migrants we have to feed, clothe, house, educate the children, wash their laundry sheets, give them everything they need…”
Adams continued, “This will destroy New York City. Destroy New York City. We’re getting 10,000 migrants a month,” according to the Post Millennial.
Adams in 2022: We “welcome newcomers with open arms”
In July 2022, Adams proclaimed that “New York has been and will always be a city of immigrants that welcomes newcomers with open arms. This value has made our city a beacon of freedom for people around the world and the economic and cultural powerhouse that it is,” according to the Center for Immigration Studies.
In spite of his proclamation, Adams criticized local and federal leaders this week about the immigrant crisis in New York, according to the Post Millennial.
Adams said he wants the “sanctuary state” law repealed in New York.
20,000 illegal immigrants in NYC started public school this month
While school playing fields have been turned into tent cities, New York State officials threatened to sue any school district that does not admit illegal aliens as students.
According to the New York Times, budget projections for New York City show a deficit of $12 billion, which is the same amount the city has estimated it will cost to take in migrants over the next three years.
An estimated 20,000 children of illegal aliens started the new school year this month in New York.
Adams has turned to Governor Kathy Hochul and the White House for help, but has not been given adequate help.
Adams said, “Let me tell you something, New Yorkers, I never in my life have I had a problem that I didn’t see an end to. I don’t see an end to this.”
Adams is currently in his second year of his first term as mayor.
Who is Eric Adams?
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We examined sanctuary states and cities with “right to shelter” policies across the country.
New York City
Number of illegal immigrants (total): 600,000
(Source: Unauthorized Immigrant Population Profiles by County, Migration Policy Institute)
New York state has a “right to shelter law” that requires NYC to provide emergency shelter to every homeless person who qualifies for it. New York’s law came out of a class action lawsuit in the late 1970s on behalf of homeless men, which resulted in a consent decree that required the city to add more shelters – and cover everyone, not just men, according to KCRW.
Chicago
Number of illegal immigrants: 257,000
(Source: Cook County IL data, Migration Policy Institute)
When illegal immigrants were sent by bus from Texas to Chicago, then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, “We are welcoming them and we will not turn our backs on those who need our help the most,” according to the Center for Immigration Studies.
Texas Governor Jim Abbott said, “Mayor Lightfoot loves to tout the responsibility of her city to welcome all regardless of legal status, and I look forward to seeing this responsibility in action as these migrants receive resources from a sanctuary city with the capacity to serve them,” according to NBC 5 Chicago.
One Chicago alderman added, “We will stand by every single citizen, every single resident of this city, regardless of your status,” according to the Center for Immigration Studies.
Massachusetts
Number of illegal immigrants: 951,000
(Source: Massachusetts data, Migration Policy Institute)
Last month, Massachusetts Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll pleaded with residents to take in migrant families into their private homes. Driscoll said, “Most importantly, if you have an extra room or suite in your home, please consider hosting a family. Housing and shelter is our most pressing need, and become a sponsor family,” according to Fox News.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey asked citizens to “offer a helping hand” to help house migrants,
Healey called the migrants coming into the state “brave parents.”
Washington, D.C.
Number of illegal immigrants: 21,000
(Source: District of Columbia data, Migration Policy Institute)
In 2016 and 2017, the mayor and city council of Washington, D.C., proclaimed D.C. a sanctuary city. In the resolution the city passed, it says, “The District of Columbia welcomes and embraces refugees, immigrants, people of color, women, disabled individuals, people of all faiths or no faith at all, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and celebrates the diversity of human existence”.
Los Angeles
Number of illegal immigrants: 951,000
(Source: Los Angeles County data, Migration Policy Institute)
With almost a million undocumented immigrants living in L.A, the city does not currently have a right to shelter law.
A member of the California legislature, Al Muratsuchi, has submitted legislation to create a statewide right to shelter law, according to KCRW.