New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other city officials have repeatedly asked President Joe Biden to help with the flow of immigrants, pointing to a failing shelter system and the need for expedited work visas.
For over a year, New York City has seen a record number of asylum-seekers with Democratic lawmakers at the state and city level clashing over how to tackle the crisis. Despite the escalating push for federal funding, Adams has not spoken directly with Biden about the most recent impacts on the city.
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Adams restated that he hasn’t communicated with Biden since earlier this year while speaking to ABC7 New York on Tuesday. He first made the admission to CNN last month, revealing that he has not spoken to Biden in 2023 but remains in touch with White House officials on the matter.
“I spoke with the White House chief of staff yesterday and shared some of my thoughts and ideas,” Adams said.
He stressed the economic impact the immigrant crisis will have on city agencies, noting federal and state funding could ease budget cuts. On Saturday, Adams ordered every city agency to send plans to reduce spending by up to 15%. The city estimates the influx of asylum-seekers will amount to $12 billion over three fiscal years.
Joined by unions and other city leaders, Adams has called on the federal government to expedite work authorization permits for thousands of immigrants who want to work legally in the city.
“We have thousands of jobs. That’s the irony of it,” Adams said. “We need various levels of employment. And so we’re hoping that the federal government looks at what we’re saying and make it happen, because I can’t break the law and say I’m going to allow you to work anywhere.”
While Adams is pushing to speed up work visas, he said people are still working without legal work status.
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“Now, people are working,” Adams said. “So, we’re creating a black market of employment — low wages, women are being sexually exploited, workers have been treated unfairly,” adding there is an increase in prostitution in the city.
A new poll found that 59% of New Yorkers support expedited work authorizations regardless of immigration status. According to the Siena College Research Institute survey released Tuesday, 56% of respondents support using federal buildings and land to shelter immigrants temporarily.
