Should Mayor Adams reach out to Latin American countries regarding migrant crisis?

New York City mayor, Eric Adams, has been vocal about the multitude of hardships facing the Big Apple in regards to the migrant crisis that has seen over 120,000 asylum seekers and migrants arriving in NY. Some estimates have said that there can be up to 1,000 people per day seeking refuge in the city. Images out of New York showed migrants sleeping on the streets because there was no room to house them.

Unable to find the support he was looking for from New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, and Biden’s federal government, Adams took the unconventional step this past week to visit Latin America in an effort to discourage migrants from coming to the U.S.

“We want to give an honest assessment of what we are experiencing here in this city,” said Adams. “We are at capacity.”

“We’re going to tell them that coming to New York doesn’t mean you’re going to stay in a five-star hotel. It doesn’t mean that, the mere fact that you come here, you automatically are going to be allowed to work,” he said. — PBS.org New York City mayor heads to Latin America with message for asylum seekers: ‘We are at capacity’

Adams embarked on a 4-day trip to Latin America. Along with his message of cooperation, he aimed to dissuade those contemplating the arduous journey to the United States. Though New York City stands as one of the largest cities globally, it’s somewhat unconventional for a city mayor to undertake an international tour like this.

A law from the 1980s obligates New York City to assist anyone in need. Originally intended to address the city’s homeless population, this law is now being leveraged to make NYC responsible for migrants coming from the Southern border. Republican states, especially those at odds with the migrant influx like Texas, and its governor, Greg Abbott, are compounding the issue by sending droves of migrants to Mayor Adams’ doorstep.

Adams has indicated that while New York City is willing to help, its budget and space are finite. The crisis threatens to reduce spending on essential services. The mayor approached Governor Hochul with his concerns, but his plea to distribute immigrants throughout the state was turned down. The Biden administration also seemed to sidestep Adams, criticizing him for lacking an exit strategy for housing migrants once they vacate the shelters.

Regardless of whether NYC receives support from Governor Hochul or the Biden administration, Adams faces the daunting task of overseeing a city teeming with millions of residents and migrants. Is this the right course of action? Do you agree with Mayor Adams’ efforts to engage Latin American countries and dissuade their citizens from migrating to the US?

Additional:
Mayor Adams visits Latin America and encourages residents not to migrate to the US
New York mayor tries to discourage migrants with Latin America trip
New York City mayor heads to Latin America with message for asylum seekers: ‘We are at capacity’
New York City mayor wraps up Latin America trip with call for ‘right to work’ for migrants in US
As many as 1,000 migrants arrive in New York City each day. One challenge is keeping them fed.
Biden administration officials shift blame for NYC migrant crisis on to Mayor Eric Adams because there is ‘no exit strategy’ to house them after they’re released from shelters

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