New York, NY—Today, Mayor Eric Adams once again took issue with New York City’s sanctuary status during a TV interview, complaining that "we can’t even turn [asylum seekers] over to ICE."
Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:
"New Year, new attacks from Mayor Adams against our communities. Earlier today the Mayor openly admitted to his desire to separate families and undermine another long-standing policy that defines New York City. The majority of New Yorkers support our sanctuary city policy, which ensures that our city can be a beacon of hope and safety for anyone who calls it home. Instead of actually implementing solutions that will alleviate the city’s affordability crisis, the Mayor continues to scapegoat asylum seekers. It is long past time to implement the solution that we know will both take pressure off our shelter system and save the city $3 billion: by expanding access to CityFHEPS housing vouchers for New Yorkers regardless of immigration status, people will get on the path to self-sufficiency. We remind Eric Adams of what he said about our sanctuary city status on the campaign trail: 'We should protect our immigrants. Period.'"