New York City Mayor Eric Adams, D, and Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming “border czar,” met Thursday, Dec. 12, in New York and agreed on a key part of Trump’s plan to deport criminal undocumented immigrants. The two discussed the need to remove dangerous individuals, particularly those involved in violent crimes, from New York City.
At a press conference following the meeting, Mayor Adams admitted that New York City “made terrible mistakes” in the past by allowing undocumented immigrants committing violent crimes to remain in the city — particularly members of dangerous gangs who were caught but never deported. Adams said the city will no longer allow that to continue.
“We’re not going to be a safe haven for those who commit violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants and New Yorkers,” Adams said. “That was my conversation today with the border czar, how we go after the people repeatedly committing crimes in our city.”
This meeting follows warnings from Homan, who has been critical of sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago for releasing undocumented immigrants back into communities after they commit crimes.
New York City remains a sanctuary city, which limits how much local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities. However, Adams has suggested he may consider an executive order to change the city’s status, according to sources who spoke to the New York Post.
The mayor also criticized current immigration policies that he says have led to a surge in migrants and depleted resources in the city.
At the end of the press conference, Adams emphasized that safety is his and Homan’s top priority.
“My authority, using executive orders, to ensure that I keep New Yorkers safe, that’s my only goal, I can’t make it any clearer,” Adams said. “If pursuing that goal means that my years and years advocating for immigrants who are here attempting to find the American dream, if that demonizes me, then I’m going to take it. But I’m going to save lives in this city.”
