New York City Mayor Adams stated on November 12 that the immigration system in the United States is in urgent need of repair. He is willing to sit down with the incoming Trump administration to discuss this issue. However, he reiterated that New York City is a sanctuary city and does not support mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, nor will it cooperate with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
During a press conference on Tuesday, Adams expressed his lack of surprise at the Democratic Party’s defeat in the recent election. He criticized the party for focusing excessively on far-left issues rather than addressing the pressing concerns of the working class. He highlighted that in 2021 when he discussed public safety, his concerns were ignored. Similarly, in 2023 when he brought up the issue of undocumented immigrants seeking asylum, he was again overlooked. The primary concern in 2021 was public safety, while immigration became the most vital issue for voters in the recent election. He criticized the federal government for failing to secure the borders and provide sufficient support to address the immigration crisis in New York City.
When asked about the appointment of individuals advocating a tough immigration policy by Trump, such as Tom Homan as Border Chief and Stephen Miller as White House Deputy Chief of Staff, and whether he is worried about the federal government launching mass arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants in New York City, Adams expressed concern only about the fragmented state of the U.S. immigration system, stressing the urgent need for its repair.
Adams stated that he would reach out to Homan for communication and to understand their plans. He wants to understand what New York City can and cannot do regarding the immigration issue. He emphasized that the federal government cannot continue to shift problems onto New York City. The United States must ensure border security, prevent criminals from entering the country, and allow those applying for asylum to work legally as soon as possible.
When pressed by reporters on whether he supports mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, Adams explicitly stated that he does not support such actions. He reiterated that New York City is a sanctuary city, as written into law, and he hopes that immigrants can continue to live as usual without the fear of hiding due to lack of legal status. He added that New York City’s laws clearly state that no municipal resources can be used to cooperate with ICE. Despite believing that the laws should be amended to allow the transfer of immigrant criminals to ICE, the current legislation prohibits municipal cooperation with ICE. The city will do everything possible to ensure that all immigrants are treated with dignity and humanity and not fear mass deportations.
Furthermore, when asked how he could trust Trump to uphold the interests of undocumented immigrants after being federally indicted, Adams maintained that he has always been a voice for immigrants and as the mayor, he will safeguard the interests of all residents.