Adams has been dealing with fierce backlash as schools, hotels and community centers have been handed over to serve as shelters to over 180,000 migrants, who the mayor has warned will "destroy" the city. (Related: NYC Mayor Eric Adams warns illegal immigrants will DESTROY the city.)
He has been a steadfast defender of New York's decades-old sanctuary city status which prohibits city authorities from asking questions about a person's immigration status or showing it to federal authorities.
Nevertheless, Adams disclosed his change of heart after angry residents questioned him about immigrant crimes, including January's brutal Times Square attack on two policemen that saw most of the suspects freed on bail within hours of their arrests.
Adams wants modifications to New York City's sanctuary city law
"We need to modify the sanctuary city law that if you commit a felony or violent act. We should be able to turn you over to ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and have you deported," Adams told a town hall meeting on Monday, Feb. 26.
More than 560 American cities, states and counties have declared themselves sanctuaries since the early 1980s and New York assumed the status under former Democrat Mayor Ed Koch.
However, sanctuary cities have been a favorite target of governors on the southern border who have bussed thousands of illegals north to them as the immigration crisis has gained steam.
Police in the city are not permitted to arrest anybody because they are an illegal migrant and the city will not work with an investigation by immigration authorities unless ordered to by a court.
The city anticipates spending $10.6 billion by the end of 2025 and declared a budget in December that would cut the number of New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers by a fifth and the education cut by $1 billion hit over two years.
"Let me tell you something, New Yorkers. Never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to. I don't see an ending to this. This issue will destroy New York City. Destroy New York City," Adams told a public meeting in September.
He confronted more pressure recently over his plans for a $53 million debit card program that could provide a family of immigrants with two children under the age of 17 up to $15,200 a year.
Adams, speaking during a news conference after related statements he made on Monday, said he believes New York City bureaus should be free to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport migrants who have been accused of committing crimes.
"We should be communicating with ICE, and if ICE makes the determination of deporting, then they should," Adams, a former NYPD officer, said at the news conference.
"The mere fact that we cannot share with ICE that this person has committed three robberies, that this person is part of an organized gang crew, the mere fact that we can't say that or communicate that, that’s problematic for me."
Adams has made similar remarks on numerous occasions as of late, after what he and the NYPD have claimed to be a rise in violent and serious crime committed by immigrants after many high-profile cases made headlines in recent weeks.
Shootings and fights in Times Square, theft groups and alleged gang recruitment have all been examples of crimes in New York that Adams and the NYPD ascribed to immigrants in recent months, inciting public worry about the migrants bringing in a crime surge with them.
While Adams did not indicate what aspects of the law he would like to see changed, he would require the City Council's approval to make any such changes in the beginning, something officials have said isn't expected to come.
Watch the video below about New York City Mayor Eric Adams' stunning turnaround on the city's sanctuary policy.
This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.
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NYC Mayor Adams is giving huge payouts to illegal aliens – $10,000 cash payments to EACH migrant.
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1 year ago
Well Well, All the grand gestures that were offered as advice to the border states sounded good as long as the problem remained within their borders. This is always the problem with the left. Solutions that require the resources of others to solve. The money (TAXES) or, as they call it (INVESTMENTS) seems to be the solution for others. When it becomes their problem, the whine starts to become everyone's fault and a problem that all must share in a solution. The solution they refer to is money and lots of it to rid themselves of the problem and figure out how to enrich themselves while doing it. The left is quite willing to create a crisis for others to endure. While tragic that so many have come for a dream, they thought was plausible because of false information. We as a nation fought a war to free ourselves from tyranny. Why are we obligated to hand out our freedoms to anyone that chooses to enter with illegal intent? The nations in South America have seen the opportunity to empty their jails of criminals to send north. Yet this administration welcomes them with open arms. They Murder and rape their way up here only to continue when they enter our country. our justice system continues to release them even for vicious crimes. Not for just two or three, but sometimes hundreds. yet we have citizens that sit in jail without bond for trespass on Jan. 6. Citizens! our government has become corrupt. When events become apparent that government no longer serves, the time has come to dissolve it and reconstruct it anew. The dangers of doing so must be weighed. In writing, a new constitution will involve people that want to rule. No better than what we have. What is the answer? Well, the people wrote the original constitution so we can make changes to it. Before the states and before the constitution the people existed. the power we granted to government can be removed by the will of the people. what it requires is the agreement of the people as a whole. Impossible? Yes it may be so. but how do we know unless we try?-------- I, Grampa