Mayor Eric Adams calls for modifications to sanctuary city policy as NYC struggles to accommodate nearly 200,000 new migrants that are overrunning the city

03/13/2024 / By Kevin Hughes

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has called for a radical revamp of its sanctuary city status in a stunning reversal as the city bends under the weight of illegal immigrant arrivals.

Adams has been dealing with fierce backlash as schools, hotels and community centers have been handed over to serve as shelters to over 180,000 migrants, who the mayor has warned will “destroy” the city. (Related: NYC Mayor Eric Adams warns illegal immigrants will DESTROY the city.)

He has been a steadfast defender of New York’s decades-old sanctuary city status which prohibits city authorities from asking questions about a person’s immigration status or showing it to federal authorities.

Nevertheless, Adams disclosed his change of heart after angry residents questioned him about immigrant crimes, including January’s brutal Times Square attack on two policemen that saw most of the suspects freed on bail within hours of their arrests.

Adams wants modifications to New York City’s sanctuary city law

“We need to modify the sanctuary city law that if you commit a felony or violent act. We should be able to turn you over to ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and have you deported,” Adams told a town hall meeting on Monday, Feb. 26.

More than 560 American cities, states and counties have declared themselves sanctuaries since the early 1980s and New York assumed the status under former Democrat Mayor Ed Koch.

However, sanctuary cities have been a favorite target of governors on the southern border who have bussed thousands of illegals north to them as the immigration crisis has gained steam.

Police in the city are not permitted to arrest anybody because they are an illegal migrant and the city will not work with an investigation by immigration authorities unless ordered to by a court.

The city anticipates spending $10.6 billion by the end of 2025 and declared a budget in December that would cut the number of New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers by a fifth and the education cut by $1 billion hit over two years.

“Let me tell you something, New Yorkers. Never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to. I don’t see an ending to this. This issue will destroy New York City. Destroy New York City,” Adams told a public meeting in September.

He confronted more pressure recently over his plans for a $53 million debit card program that could provide a family of immigrants with two children under the age of 17 up to $15,200 a year.

Adams, speaking during a news conference after related statements he made on Monday, said he believes New York City bureaus should be free to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport migrants who have been accused of committing crimes.

“We should be communicating with ICE, and if ICE makes the determination of deporting, then they should,” Adams, a former NYPD officer, said at the news conference.

“The mere fact that we cannot share with ICE that this person has committed three robberies, that this person is part of an organized gang crew, the mere fact that we can’t say that or communicate that, that’s problematic for me.”

Adams has made similar remarks on numerous occasions as of late, after what he and the NYPD have claimed to be a rise in violent and serious crime committed by immigrants after many high-profile cases made headlines in recent weeks.

Shootings and fights in Times Square, theft groups and alleged gang recruitment have all been examples of crimes in New York that Adams and the NYPD ascribed to immigrants in recent months, inciting public worry about the migrants bringing in a crime surge with them.

While Adams did not indicate what aspects of the law he would like to see changed, he would require the City Council’s approval to make any such changes in the beginning, something officials have said isn’t expected to come.

Watch the video below about New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ stunning turnaround on the city’s sanctuary policy.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.