Biden ignores Eric Adams during NYC visit after immigrant controversy.
President Biden Skips Meeting with NYC Mayor Amidst Immigration Crisis
President Joe Biden’s busy week of meetings with world leaders did not include a visit to New York City’s city hall. Instead, he focused on attending the United Nations General Assembly, delivering speeches, and engaging with Democratic donors.
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However, one notable absence from Biden’s schedule was a meeting with New York Mayor Eric Adams, who has become critical of the president due to the influx of over 110,000 immigrants into the city over the past 18 months.
“President Biden’s coming to the city,” expressed Adams, a Democrat. “I am hoping that he understands this beautiful city, which serves as the economic engine of the entire country, is burdened with billions of dollars in expenses. New York doesn’t deserve this, and neither do the asylum seekers.”
Adams, although not a staunch border hawk, has criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott for sending buses of volunteer immigrants to his city. He has also called for faster work permits for immigrants to help them secure employment.
The White House has been hesitant to expedite work permits, citing concerns about potential lawsuits and the possibility of attracting more immigrants to the border.
While Adams did not directly criticize Biden for not meeting with him, he emphasized the urgency of the situation in multiple local television interviews. He highlighted that 10,000 more immigrants arrive in the city each month, and the law requires the city to provide shelter for them. Adams has also called on Biden to declare a state of emergency regarding the migrant crisis.
Although the White House did not respond to requests for comment, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged that the administration is in regular communication with Adams.
“We take this very seriously,” Jean-Pierre stated. “We’re continuing to have that conversation. But we are literally in touch with them almost on a daily basis.”
However, the lack of direct contact between Biden and Adams marks a significant change from their previous interactions. Last year, they attended a fundraiser together during the General Assembly meetings, and Adams was a prominent surrogate for Biden’s campaign.
Today, Adams is facing criticism from progressive critics who have labeled him the “black Trump.” He is no longer a Biden surrogate and has made strong statements, describing illegal immigration as an existential crisis for New York City.
“Let me tell you something, New Yorkers,” Adams passionately expressed during a community meeting. “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.”
While Biden did meet with Governor Kathy Hochul, who has been more measured in her remarks and occasionally critical of Adams, it may take time for Biden and Adams to rebuild their relationship if the migrant crisis in New York does not subside.
Meanwhile, border crossings are on the rise again, with the mayor of Eagle Pass, Texas, declaring an emergency due to a surge of crossings from Mexico.
Despite his criticism of Governor Abbott, Adams has called for measures to stem the flow of immigrants.
“We’ve witnessed that a substantial number have left our shelter system, but over 60,000 to 70,000 are still there,” Adams explained. “It’s just not moving at the right pace. But the question becomes, ‘Why aren’t we stopping this at the source, and why aren’t we dealing with this as the national crisis that it is?'”
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Why did President Biden choose to skip a meeting with Mayor Adams?
Ke the concerns of Mayor Adams very seriously,” Jean-Pierre said. ”We understand the challenges that New York City is facing, and we are committed to working together to address them.”
Some political analysts have speculated that Biden’s decision to skip a meeting with Adams could be a strategic move to avoid highlighting the ongoing immigration crisis, which has been a sensitive and contentious issue for his administration. By focusing on the United Nations General Assembly and engaging with Democratic donors, Biden may be attempting to shift the narrative away from immigration and towards other areas of his agenda.
However, critics argue that Biden’s absence only reinforces the perception that his administration is not effectively managing the immigration situation. They believe that by not meeting with a local leader directly affected by the crisis, Biden is failing to demonstrate leadership and accountability.
This is not the first time Biden has faced criticism for his handling of the immigration issue. Earlier this year, he received backlash for the crisis at the southern border, with Republicans and some Democrats calling for stronger border security measures. The continued influx of immigrants into cities like New York only adds fuel to the fire and puts additional pressure on the Biden administration to come up with a comprehensive immigration plan.
As the immigration crisis continues to unfold, the absence of a meeting between President Biden and Mayor Adams sends a message about the priorities and challenges the administration is juggling. It remains to be seen how the administration will address the concerns raised by Adams and whether they will take more decisive action to address the immigration crisis at the local level.
In the meantime, New York City’s residents and leaders like Eric Adams will continue to grapple with the economic and logistical burdens caused by the influx of immigrants. The situation serves as a reminder that effective immigration policies require not only federal action but also cooperation and coordination with local governments.
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