New York Mayor Eric Adams warned that the influx of migrants pouring into the city has created a “pipeline of criminality,” fueling a surge in petty crime and putting pressure on local law enforcement.
Speaking to local reporters Monday, Adams emphasized that the rapid increase in migrants,-many of whom are being bused from the US-Mexico border, is putting a significant strain on the city’s resources.
“It’s no secret that our city is dealing with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, and it’s putting a tremendous strain on our emergency services, our housing, our social services, and our public safety,” Adams said.
Adams cited a recent string of petty crimes, including thefts, robberies, and shoplifting, which he attributed to the influx of new arrivals. He also noted that the city has seen a significant increase in the number of shooting incidents, which he tied to the presence of gang activity among some of the migrants.
“We’ve created a pipeline of criminality,” Adams said. “These individuals are coming in, they’re getting set up with housing, they’re getting set up with food, they’re getting set up with social services, but they’re not getting set up with the social skills and the values that we need to be a productive member of society.”
Adams’ comments sparked a heated debate about immigration policy and the administration of President Joe Biden, with some critics accusing the mayor of stoking xenophobia and demonizing vulnerable populations.
However, advocates for the migrants and some lawmakers have pushed back against Adams’ claims, arguing that he is scapegoating an already vulnerable population and ignoring the root causes of the crisis. “The real issue is the broken immigration system and the policies of the federal government,” said New York State Assemblymember Jessica Ramos, a Democrat. “We should be working together to address the root causes of this crisis, rather than amplifying divisive rhetoric and targeting already vulnerable communities.”