New York City Mayor Eric Adams has publicly expressed his frustration with President Joe Biden for failing to meet with him during the President’s visit to the city for the annual United Nations General Assembly. Adams revealed that he and Biden have not spoken since the beginning of the year.
Adams has been a vocal critic of Biden’s handling of the migrant crisis, which he believes is significantly impacting New York City. Since spring 2022, over 113,000 migrants have arrived in the city, straining its resources and budget. The mayor warned that the crisis could “destroy” the city without immediate intervention.
READ: NYC Mayor Adams Demands Biden’s Aid for Migrant Crisis
During an event promoting a new trash system, Adams addressed Biden’s visit, stating, “President Biden’s coming to the city. I am hoping that he understands this beautiful city that’s the economic engine of the entire country is been saddled with a $2 billion that we spent already, $5 billion we’re going to spend in this fiscal crisis, $12 billion in the next two budgetary cycles. New York doesn’t deserve this, the asylum seekers don’t deserve this.”
Adams urged Biden to meet with him, insisting that his team could easily arrange a meeting. He argued that New York City has done its part in handling the crisis and that it was time for the federal government to step in.
READ: NYC Mayor Says Illegal Immigrants ‘Will Destroy’ City
With the city struggling to cope with the influx of migrants, Adams has ordered agencies to reduce their budgets by 5 percent, possibly increasing to 15 percent in the future, to cover the cost of new arrivals. Despite pleas for aid from state and federal governments, the city has not received any financial assistance. As a result, the estimated $4.7 billion needed would have to come from the city’s budget, equivalent to the combined budgets of the city’s sanitation, fire, and parks departments.
READ: NYC Creates Tent Shelter to House 1,000 Illegal Immigrants Amidst Surge
As the school year started, some schools were forced to turn away students due to overcrowding. City officials expect the asylum seeker population to reach nearly 33,980 households this fiscal year. The city is currently spending about $385 a night per migrant family for housing and food.
Adams blamed Texas Governor Greg Abbott for exacerbating the situation by busing migrants to New York City. He stated, “110,000 migrants we have to feed, clothe, house… we have to educate their children, wash their laundry sheets… give them everything they need.”
The mayor warned that the crisis will impact city services, with potential cuts to library hours, meals for senior citizens, and free, full-day care for three-year-olds. At a town hall meeting, he expressed his frustration with the lack of help from Biden and admitted he doesn’t see an immediate solution to the problem, stating, “This issue will destroy New York City. Destroy New York City.”
