New York City finds itself in the midst of an escalating illegal immigrant crisis, with asylum seekers pouring into the city at an unprecedented rate. Mayor Eric Adams (D-NY), has recently been vocal in his criticism of the Biden administration’s response, accusing it of failing to provide adequate assistance.
Meanwhile, federal officials point fingers at Adams, claiming that his approach is flawed and for not having an “exit strategy,” despite the crisis straining the city’s resources, parks, schools, playing fields, and shelters to the limit.
Biden admin points finger at NY for its handling of migrant crisis https://t.co/q8DqGp7LR3 pic.twitter.com/njV4IAHor3
— New York Post (@nypost) August 28, 2023
As Adams gets overwhelmed by the influx of migrants, desperate for federal intervention, the Biden administration’s hypocritical stance appears to be more laissez faire. The border is effectively open, with almost anyone being allowed to enter into the United States, especially to those seeking asylum.
Furthermore, court dates for these border crossers are scheduled for more than five, sometimes ten years out, creating a backlog of cases that adds to the complexity of the issue. In an effort to assess the situation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dispatched an “assessment team” to New York in August.
Their mission was to evaluate how local authorities were managing the crisis. Although the results of their investigation have not been disclosed, a senior DHS official has criticized Adams for what they perceive as an inadequate response. New York, as a sanctuary city with a “right to shelter” law in place, is obligated to provide shelter to those who seek it.
To fulfill this obligation, the city has even resorted to renting entire hotel buildings, like the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan, to accommodate Biden’s border crossers. However, the DHS official asserted that the mayor’s approach lacks operational efficiency, highlighting the absence of an exit strategy for those in temporary shelters.
City Hall spokesperson Kayla Mamelak emphasized the strain on local officials, noting that the federal government has been reluctant to take meaningful action in addressing the national crisis.
Mamelak pointed out that New York City has already opened more than 200 emergency shelters, spending over $2 billion to date, and an anticipated $5 billion for the current fiscal year.
This financial burden, she argued, is unsustainable without substantial aid from state and federal partners. Adams himself warned that the ongoing crisis threatens to “destroy New York” if not addressed promptly and effectively.
