New York City Mayor Eric Adams is playing both sides of the fence on immigration and sanctuary policies, hinting at a willingness to work with President-elect Donald Trump while still clinging to the liberal policies that have turned his city into a hotspot for unchecked migration. During a press conference Tuesday, Adams extended an olive branch to Trump’s incoming administration, expressing an openness to collaborate on immigration reform, claiming, “I’m hoping this administration will hear what I’m saying and listen to some of the ideas that I have been pushing for … close to two years now.”
But here’s the catch: Adams wants it both ways. He still wants to preserve New York’s sanctuary status while also saying he’ll represent Trump supporters who are fed up with migrants flooding into their neighborhoods. Adams said he’s been trying to get the Biden administration to listen for years. Now, post-election, he’s suddenly all ears when Trump’s team is in charge.
Adams’ proposed ideas? Tighter border security, background checks for migrants, and a more “balanced” distribution of migrants to less populated areas. “We have a broken immigration system that needs to be fixed,” Adams stated, adding that New Yorkers made it clear this election that immigration reform is their top concern. This is probably the closest a Democrat mayor has come to admitting that the left’s open-door policy is backfiring, and Trump’s election is a direct message to fix this disaster.
Of course, when the conversation shifted to paying for all of this, Adams demanded more federal funds to cover New York City’s skyrocketing migration costs. “It’s broken, it needs to be fixed, and New York City was devastated by that broken system. Two hundred twenty thousand migrants and asylum seekers have made their way here, no financial assistance from the administration,” he said. Adams claims that the Biden administration gave NYC a paltry sum, while his city footed a billion-dollar bill.
Yet, Adams danced around questions about deportation, a point of contention for many New Yorkers who are sick and tired of crime rates spiraling due to repeat offenders. He alluded to New Yorkers who stopped him on the street to say they support Trump’s call for mass deportations. But let’s not kid ourselves—Adams has no intention of cooperating with ICE or supporting deportations. New York City’s sanctuary policies remain intact, and Adams assured the public he doesn’t back Trump’s deportation plans.
NEW: New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears to be open to complying with Trump's mass deportation plan, says the American people have spoken.
Adams also ripped one reporter after she tried cornering him on the deportation issue.
Reporter: Will you express concerns with… pic.twitter.com/5VkCyISNgE
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 12, 2024
In a textbook example of trying to please everyone, Adams is talking out of both sides of his mouth. But actions speak louder than words. While he talks about working with Trump, he’s doubling down on policies that only benefit one slice of his voter base. Meanwhile, Nassau County officials recently arrested migrants from Chile and Venezuela tied to a string of jewelry store heists up and down the East Coast. Crime and chaos are what these so-called sanctuary policies bring, and Adams is pretending not to notice.
Nassau County, NY: Last week, six illegal aliens – five Chileans and a Venezuelan – were arrested for a sophisticated Jewelry store break in.
WANTED – Five were released, two didn't show up for their GPS monitors, and the three that did show later cut them off.
Local officials… pic.twitter.com/ThHe5mC2Dp
— Illegal Alien Crimes (@ImmigrantCrimes) November 13, 2024
Trump’s approach to the border crisis couldn’t be more of a contrast. He’s made it clear that he’s willing to take action where the Democrats have failed. So, as Adams and his party play damage control, the American people can look forward to real, effective immigration reform under Trump’s leadership. It’s about time someone actually listens to the concerns of the American people instead of catering to open-border policies that only invite more crime and chaos.
