Mayor Adams stated Thursday he agrees with Tom Homan, the incoming Trump administration’s border czar, on the truth that New York Metropolis shouldn’t be a “safe haven” for undocumented immigrants who commit critical crimes.
To that finish, Adams stated he’s exploring whether or not he can use his govt powers to roll again a few of New York’s sanctuary metropolis protections, provided that Democratic leaders within the Metropolis Council say they gained’t assist him accomplish that.
The town, Adams stated, has made “terrible mistakes” previously in limiting cooperation with federal authorities finishing up deportation proceedings.
“His goal is the same goal I have,” Adams informed reporters at Metropolis Corridor after assembly privately with Homan at Gracie Mansion.
“This can’t be a safe haven for violent individuals. You have a privilege to live in this country and those who want to commit acts of violence, they are violating that privilege,” Adams stated. “[Homan’s] desire is clearly, again, what my target area is.”
The mayor confronted backlash from some fellow native elected Democrats for agreeing to fulfill with Homan. Amid the criticism, Adams stated he’s dedicated to defending “hardworking” immigrants within the metropolis.
Mayor Adams speaks at press convention at Metropolis Corridor about his assembly with incoming “Border Czar” Tom Homan Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Each day Information)
Homan, who was appearing director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement throughout President-elect Donald Trump’s first White Home time period, has stirred up fears in immigrant communities throughout the U.S. by vowing to launch “mass deportation” proceedings concentrating on not simply those that commit violent crimes, but additionally these whose solely offense is being within the nation with out authorized standing.
Incoming U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan talks to state troopers and nationwide guardsmen who’re collaborating in Operation Lone Star at a facility on the U.S.-Mexico border, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Eagle Go, Texas. (AP Picture/Eric Homosexual)
Adams declined to reply questions from the press after the assembly on his stance on utilizing the army in deportation efforts.
There was a “representative from the Biden administration” in his confab with Homan, Adams stated, although his workplace didn’t instantly establish that particular person or disclose who else, if anybody, was in attendance. Pictures from the assembly launched by Metropolis Corridor present Adams and Homan have been joined by Ken Genalo, ICE’s New York Metropolis director who has been overtly important of town’s sanctuary legal guidelines.
New York Metropolis has lengthy been residence to some 500,000 undocumented immigrants, along with the tens of 1000’s of principally Latin American migrants who’ve arrived since spring 2022 as a part of a wave that continues to place intense pressure on metropolis assets.
Underneath sanctuary metropolis legal guidelines strengthened beneath former Mayor Invoice de Blasio’s administration, metropolis assets can’t be used and metropolis officers typically can’t help in serving to federal authorities finishing up deportation proceedings, except the people being focused have been convicted of significant or violent crimes.
Adams has stated he’s in favor of peeling again a few of these protections to empower town to have the ability to cooperate with federal deportation authorities in circumstances involving immigrants charged — not simply convicted — of significant crimes.
Mayor Adams speaks at press convention at Metropolis Corridor about his assembly with President Elect Trump’s ncoming “Border Czar” Tom Homan Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Each day Information)
In his post-Homan assembly press convention, which he began off by saying some reporters have been looking for to “distort” his views, Adams stated he desires to see if he could make these modifications while not having council approval.
“New York remaining a sanctuary city is determined by the City Council, they told you what their position is. I’m going to try to attempt to use my executive orders to go after dangerous people who are committing violent acts against migrants and asylum seekers and long-term New Yorkers and undocumented immigrants,” he stated.
Talking outdoors Metropolis Corridor whereas the mayor’s Homan assembly was happening uptown, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams condemned Adams’ rhetoric round migrants and urged President Biden to take motion to guard New York’s undocumented inhabitants earlier than leaving workplace subsequent month.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams talking throughout a Cease Jail Sexual Abuse rally in Foley Sq., Manhattan, New York on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (Shawn Inglima for New York Each day Information)
“I’m asking President Biden to step up and the mayor to stand up to Tom Homan today, and declare that New York is a city of immigrants, but instead, I expect them to sit idly by, or worse, to assist,” Williams stated.
Adams has upset fellow Democrats on quite a few events in current months, sparking criticism in some quarters over his praising a few of Trump’s appointees and elevating questions on immigrants rights beneath the Structure.
Whereas he has steadily expressed a want to roll again some sanctuary metropolis protections, Adams’ critics — which embody these operating towards him for mayor — have famous that Adams is going through a five-count federal corruption indictment and accused him of cozying as much as Trump within the hopes of securing a pardon, a declare the mayor denies.
“It is clear that something is motivating him, and what’s motivating him is not what’s best for the city of New York,” Williams stated.
Talking on the similar press convention, Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander, who’s operating towards Adams on this June’s Democratic mayoral major, echoed considerations that Adams is making an attempt to curry favor with Trump.
“Is the mayor going to stand up for constitutional due process, or is he so hungry for a pardon for his own due process that he is going to throw New Yorkers under the bus?” Lander stated.
