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New York Mayor Eric Adams publicly acknowledged the Trump administration’s role in decreasing the number of criminal illegal immigrants, attributing this shift to a significant reduction in the influx of migrants seeking shelter in the city. According to Adams, the rate of new arrivals has plummeted by over 1,000% from its highest point during the migrant crisis under former President Joe Biden.
As a Democrat, Adams has notably diverged from the wider party consensus on immigration. Recently, he has openly collaborated with the Trump administration and border czar Tom Homan to enhance immigration enforcement concerning criminal illegal aliens.
During a press conference on Monday, Adams referred to the ongoing migrant crisis as “probably the largest humanitarian crisis the city has ever experienced.” He emphasized his commitment to any legal measures necessary to ensure the city’s safety.
Adams explained that the reduction in migrant arrivals is due to a “combination” of evolving city policies and federal immigration actions both before and during Trump’s presidency. The mayor stated that he has consistently sought effective strategies to manage the complexities surrounding immigration.
Political Pushback and Support
In light of criticism from his own party and various media outlets for his cooperation with Trump, Adams defended his position. He expressed gratitude, noting, “They are helping me with the agenda that I stated the previous administration should have been helping me with, and I thank them for helping me with it.” This cooperation appears to align with Adams’s broader goals of making New York City a safer environment.
Dramatic Decline in Migrant Arrivals
As of this past Monday, the number of migrants entering New York City has decreased sharply from 4,000 to approximately 350 each month. Adams remarked, “This is what we called for and advocated for, and the American people have communicated, ‘We need to secure our border.’ There is nothing humane about allowing individuals into the country without proper support systems or the ability to care for themselves, and the financial burden placed on cities is simply unfair.”
Implications for Shelter Resources
This substantial decline in migrant numbers has enabled New York City to shutter one of its significant migrant shelters located in the historic Roosevelt Hotel. Once a renowned tourist destination, the hotel faced issues with crime and violence linked to migrant gangs, most notably the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, recently designated as a foreign terrorist group by the Trump administration.
Adams announced that the Roosevelt Hotel shelter would close in the “coming months,” reflecting a notable shift in the city’s approach to handling the migrant crisis. He recalled, “The Roosevelt Hotel opened in May 2023 at the peak of the crisis, when we were receiving 4,000 people a week.” In stark contrast, current policies have reduced new arrivals to an average of just 350.
New York’s Right to Shelter Policy
New York operates under a “right to shelter” law, mandating that the government provide housing for anyone lacking alternatives. However, Adams has implemented modifications to the shelter program, reducing the duration of stay for specific groups, such as single adults, to 30 and 60 days. These changes have facilitated the transition of over 180,000 people from city housing, alleviating pressure on taxpayers.
Adams also shared that more than 223,000 migrants who entered the system followed an organized process, enabling the city to process nearly 75% of these individuals effectively.
Recent Developments in Shelter Reductions
In a broader trend, New York City has recently closed several major migrant shelters, including a tent facility on Randall’s Island and another at Floyd Bennett Field. With the impending closure of the Roosevelt Hotel, Adams indicated that the city plans to shut down a total of 53 shelter sites within one year. This proactive approach is designed to enhance the city’s management of asylum seekers while managing fiscal responsibilities.
Adams concluded by underscoring the dual benefits of these changes, stating, “We are helping asylum seekers take the next steps in their journeys, and we are saving taxpaying New Yorkers millions of dollars.” The mayor’s ongoing initiatives reflect an adaptive strategy in an evolving landscape of immigration and shelter management.
