Mayor Adams pledges action against violent offenders in NYC

Mayor Eric Adams addressed reporters today following his meeting with incoming Border Czar Thomas Homan. He doubled down on his administration’s commitment to protecting law-abiding residents while taking firm action against individuals who commit violent crimes, regardless of immigration status.

“This is a tough time, and tough decisions have to be made,” Adams stated, addressing criticism he has faced over his handling of the ongoing migrant crisis. “We will protect hardworking immigrants giving back to this city, but we will not tolerate repeated violent crimes from anyone—migrants, immigrants, or long-standing New Yorkers.”

The mayor emphasized that his focus is on cracking down on violent offenders, including gang members, while continuing to provide essential services such as education, healthcare, and public safety to all law-abiding individuals. Adams clarified that this position aligns with the incoming Border Czar’s goals, stating, “From what I heard, we share the same desire to go after those committing repeated violent acts among New Yorkers and migrants alike.”

During the briefing, Adams revealed that his administration is exploring executive orders to enhance cooperation between city agencies and federal authorities, including ICE. “Our legal team is vetting whether we have the authorization to operationalize this,” he explained, promising to provide a full layout of the plan once finalized.

Adams also highlighted a shocking revelation from the meeting: over 500,000 migrant children with sponsors are unaccounted for in the U.S. “We don’t know if they’re victims of child labor, sex crimes, or other forms of exploitation. This is a massive crisis,” Adams said, calling out what he described as hypocrisy in narratives around immigrant protection.

When asked about New York’s sanctuary city status, Adams deferred to the City Council but reiterated his stance on prioritizing public safety. “I will use my executive authority to target dangerous individuals. No one—documented or undocumented—should be a victim of violent crime in this city,” he stated firmly.

The mayor criticized existing laws and policies, including those established during the de Blasio administration, for limiting law enforcement’s ability to collaborate with federal agencies. “Currently, we can only communicate with ICE after a conviction for about 170 crimes. We need clarity to act before crimes occur,” Adams argued, citing gang activity as a particular concern.

Adams concluded by reaffirming his singular agenda: keeping New Yorkers safe. “If advocating for public safety demonizes me, so be it. My commitment has always been clear. Everyone in this city—whether documented or undocumented—deserves protection from violent crime.”

As New York grapples with the challenges of managing its migrant population, Adams’ remarks signal a tough-on-crime approach that may reshape the city’s policies on immigration and public safety.