Mayor Eric Adams To Discuss Immigration With Incoming US Border Czar

New York City is preparing for a crucial meeting on Thursday between Mayor Eric Adams and Tom Homan, President elect Donald Trump’s newly appointed border czar. As the incoming administration plans a tougher stance on immigration, the meeting has raised alarms among immigrant communities and advocacy groups, who are calling on Adams to stand firm against potential mass deportations. With anxiety mounting, many fear that Trump’s aggressive immigration policies could impact New York’s sanctuary city protections, which have long shielded undocumented immigrants from deportation.

Homan, known for his role in advancing Trump’s hardline immigration policies, is tasked with overseeing efforts to increase deportations and slow immigration into the U.S. His appointment has signaled that the new administration will likely implement the stringent immigration measures it promised during the campaign. Advocacy organizations, including the Legal Aid Society, the Coalition for the Homeless, and over 20 other groups, have mobilized against these policies. In a letter to Mayor Adams, they have urged him to protect immigrant communities from the incoming administration’s proposed actions.The letter stresses the urgency of the situation, stating,

 “It is imperative that the City take immediate measures to protect both immigrants who have long resided in our community as well as the newest New Yorkers from the draconian and harmful actions being threatened by the incoming presidential administration.”

There are concerns that a change in Adams’ approach could undermine New York’s sanctuary city laws, which currently limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.While Mayor Adams has been critical of President Biden’s handling of immigration at the southern border, he has expressed an openness to engaging with the Trump administration on the issue. Adams has voiced opposition to mass deportations but has indicated a willingness to explore new strategies to manage the flow of migrants into the city and strengthen border security. He has emphasized the need for a “real decompression strategy” to address the challenges posed by the surge in migrant arrivals. In anticipation of the meeting, Adams noted, “I’m interested to hear his ideas on how we’re going to go about that,” signaling his readiness for collaborative discussions.

Despite these statements, the timing of the meeting has sparked concern among advocacy groups. Many fear that Adams’ engagement with Homan, a strong proponent of aggressive immigration enforcement, could lead to a shift in the mayor’s stance on sanctuary city protections. Recently, Adams has revived the debate over changing New York’s sanctuary laws, which limit cooperation with ICE. Under the current laws, city authorities can only turn over undocumented immigrants to ICE if they have been convicted of serious crimes. Adams has suggested that the city may need to revise these laws to allow deportations of individuals merely accused of crimes, not just those convicted.

The mayor’s comments have ignited controversy. Last week, he stated that individuals who entered the U.S. illegally do not deserve the same rights as American citizens. “I’m an American,” Adams remarked, adding that the Constitution is meant for Americans, not for those who “snuck into this country.” Although he later walked back these remarks, they have already generated significant backlash from immigrant rights groups and members of his own party.

As the mayor meets with Homan on Thursday, immigrant advocates are planning to rally outside City Hall in protest of what they view as a potential shift in the mayor’s immigration policy. They are urging Adams to reaffirm his commitment to protecting undocumented immigrants and to uphold the city’s sanctuary laws. They fear that any changes to these laws could lead to increased collaboration with ICE, putting vulnerable communities at greater risk of deportation and family separation.

Homan, for his part, has expressed a desire to build partnerships with sanctuary cities rather than creating adversarial relationships. However, his recent statements suggest otherwise. At a recent event in Chicago, he declared that the city would be one of his primary targets for mass deportations under the new administration. His remarks, which criticized Chicago’s mayor and governor, were indicative of his tough approach to immigration enforcement.

In New York, the Adams administration has already begun taking preemptive steps in response to potential changes in federal immigration policies. The city recently announced plans to close the Floyd Bennett Field shelter in Brooklyn, which currently houses hundreds of migrants. While the administration claims the closure is due to a decline in new arrivals, many speculate that it is a strategic move to avoid conflict with the incoming Trump administration, particularly if Homan’s deportation efforts extend to city shelters. The closure is set to occur before Trump’s inauguration, ensuring that the shelter does not become a target for ICE raids.

Additionally, the Trump administration’s proposal to repeal protections for “sensitive locations” such as schools, churches, and hospitals has raised alarm. These locations are typically off-limits to ICE enforcement, but the proposed repeal would allow ICE to target immigrants in places where they are usually safe from deportation. Murad Awawdeh, President of the New York Immigration Coalition, condemned this move as cruel and harmful to vulnerable communities. He has called on New York state officials to pass legislation that would prevent local agencies from sharing sensitive information with ICE, emphasizing that the federal government’s actions could endanger public safety and violate basic human rights.

As the political climate shifts, the pressure on Mayor Adams to protect New York’s immigrant population will only intensify. The outcome of his discussions with Tom Homan will likely set the tone for the city’s future approach to immigration enforcement. While Adams’ position remains unclear, one thing is certain: New York’s role as a sanctuary for immigrants is at a critical crossroads, and its leaders will face significant scrutiny in the months ahead.