Tensions are arising within New York’s progressive political framework as the state’s governor and the mayor of New York City find themselves at odds over the issue of undocumented immigrants. Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, is advocating for increased financial assistance to manage the influx of thousands of immigrants into the city.
On the other hand, Governor Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, believes that the mayor’s requests have been adequately addressed. Both officials are urging the federal government for assistance, yet the Biden Administration has yet to take substantial action in securing the Southern Border.
Last week, the strained relationship between Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams reached a breaking point when they openly criticized each other’s approaches to addressing the influx of more than 100,000 undocumented immigrants into New York City. Authorities in NYC are cautioning that the sheer volume of arrivals has led the city into a state of humanitarian emergency, as there is a lack of adequate shelter and financial resources to cater to them.
A letter dated August 15, sent by a legal firm representing Governor Hochul, was directed towards New York City’s legal department. The letter raised concerns about the city’s delayed efforts in requesting updated guidelines and not adequately keeping the state government informed about its actions. Additionally, the letter served as a reminder to the city about the $1.5 billion in funding that the state had allocated to assist in managing the crisis.
48 hours later, the mayor responded with a counterargument, asserting that the issue of illegal immigration is a matter that affects the entire state and nation, unfairly burdening the residents of New York City. He highlighted the stark disproportionality, noting that while the city encompasses only 5% of New York’s total land area, it receives “over 99 percent” of the incoming migrants to the state. He urged Governor Hochul to enact an executive order that would prevent regions outside the city from obstructing plans for migrant housing.
Since May, Mayor Adams has been striving to attain permission to temporarily suspend a law established in 1981, which mandates New York City to provide shelter to anyone requesting it. This law prohibits the city from turning away migrants, essentially functioning as an attraction. With dwindling resources on Adams’ end and Hochul’s patience wearing thin, both are facing challenges.
