Former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is adding fuel to the speculation he may attempt a political comeback by blasting the "death spiral" that the illegal immigration crisis is causing for New York City.
Cuomo wrote in an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal on Monday that many major cities were "going backward" and that the illegal immigration crisis was the "tipping point." He invoked how New York City now has a budget deficit due to the crisis and called on lawmakers in Washington to bear responsibility.
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"It is an absurd development that cities across the country are being made to shoulder the operational burden and financial cost of managing the migrant population," Cuomo wrote. "There is no legal, moral or practical explanation. Congress writes the immigration laws, and the federal executive branch sets policy. It has created this crisis. To ignore the consequences is a total abrogation of Washington’s responsibility."
He said the federal government should manage the immigrants on a national level and should be "locating them in states to serve local needs as well as those of the migrants." Cuomo also added that the federal government should cover the cost of caring for the immigrants.
"Handing the bill to cities is also shortsighted. Cities are the economic engines for their metropolitan regions. New York City is the golden goose for New York state. Historically, Democratic federal administrations have understood this and pursued 'urban agendas.' What happened? We are effectively abandoning cities at a time when they need real help," Cuomo said.
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"Cities change. At this rate the only way they can go is down. And as cities go, so goes the country," he wrote.
Cuomo served as New York's governor from 2011 to 2021, when he resigned from office after being accused of sexual harassment by several women. Polls show the former governor could mount a comeback bid as New York City Mayor Eric Adams has low approval ratings.