Mass immigration will have devastating consequences for New York City if immediate action is not taken, according to Mayor Eric Adams. Speaking at a meeting in Manhattan, Adams expressed concern that the city was becoming overwhelmed by migrants from around the world and was facing a daunting $12 billion budget deficit. He emphasized that this issue had the potential to destroy the city.
Adams stated that New York City is currently receiving more than 10,000 migrants each month. While previous years saw an influx of migrants from central and south America, more recent arrivals include “Russian-speakers coming through Mexico” and individuals from western Africa. According to the mayor, every community in the city will be affected. The massive budget deficit will force the city to make cuts to every service, impacting the lives of all residents.
The city’s expenditure on housing and services for migrants reached $1.5 billion in the last fiscal year, with only $140 million received from the federal government. Adams has repeatedly sought assistance from President Joe Biden and Governor Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, but has seemingly not received the help needed. He made a desperate plea for additional funding and expedited work permits for migrants, hoping to alleviate some of the burden on the city of 8.8 million.
Adams warned that the city, as it is currently known, is on the verge of being lost. His concerns were highlighted by Director of Health and Human Services, Anne Williams-Isom, who pointed out that New York City’s right-to-shelter law has attracted migrants from all over the world. This law, which was once a secret gem for the city, is now known globally. As a result, nearly 60,000 migrants currently occupy beds in the city’s homeless shelters, with an estimated 20,000 children preparing to attend public schools this week.
While critics of mass immigration in the United States are often Republicans, who accuse President Biden of making it easier for migrants to enter the country illegally and claim asylum, Adams, a Democrat himself, has previously described New York City as a sanctuary for illegal immigrants. His office even proudly celebrated ‘Immigrant Heritage Week’ in April of this year, commemorating the arrival of 11,000 settlers at Ellis Island in 1907. The city’s ‘We Love Immigrant New York’ campaign continued into Immigrant Heritage Month in June, affirming and celebrating the contributions of all immigrant communities.
The alarming situation in New York City and its potential financial ruin due to mass immigration underscore the need for immediate action and support from the federal government. Adams’s warnings highlight the strain that the city is currently facing, as it attempts to address the needs of a growing migrant population while also grappling with a significant budget deficit. Stakeholders must come together to find solutions that balance the humanitarian concerns of immigration with the economic stability of the city.
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