Mayor Eric Adams meets with Trump border czar to speak NYC’s position in new immigration coverage

New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams met with incoming border czar Thomas Homan to debate their plans to take away what he says have been violent undocumented immigrants.

Thursday’s closed-door assembly was the newest correspondence between the incoming Trump administration and Adams, who’s going through federal bribery and fraud costs.

The mayor spoke about his assembly at a information convention, the place he started by admonishing reporters for having “preconceived notions” and “distorted views” about his immigration insurance policies.”

Whereas Adams stated town goes to “defend the rights, of immigrants who’re hard-working and giving again to town in a optimistic manner,” the mayor repeatedly stated that he and Homan agreed that they don’t share the identical courtesy for immigrants who he says commits violent crimes.

“We won’t be a protected haven for individuals who commit violent acts. We don’t do it for individuals who are residents and we’re not going to do it for undocumented residents,” Adams stated.

Homan, who served because the performing head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement through the first Trump administration, has vowed a “shock and awe” motion in opposition to undocumented immigrants on day one. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to deport tens of millions of undocumented immigrants as soon as he takes workplace and has threatened native leaders who’ve opposed his proposal.

States and municipalities cannot outright act as immigration enforcement for the federal authorities with out an settlement, in accordance with federal legislation.

Sixty counties and police districts, lots of them in Florida, have entered into 287(g) agreements with Immigration Customs and Enforcement, wherein native legislation enforcement can conduct immigration insurance policies on behalf of the federal authorities akin to executing warrants and detaining undocumented immigrants, Elora Mukherjee, the director of Columbia Legislation College’s immigration clinic, advised ABC Information final month.

The mayor stated his authorized staff is talking with the ICE’s authorized staff about methods to work collectively. Adams stated he’s contemplating utilizing government orders however did not give any specifics.

He additionally talked about South American gang exercise within the metropolis and Lengthy Island when requested about extra specifics on violent crime involving undocumented immigrants, however did not go into additional element.

Adams was mum when requested by a reporter if he and Homan mentioned proposals to deport undocumented immigrants who did not commit any crime within the metropolis.

“From what I heard from the incoming head of ICE is that we’ve the identical want to go after those that are committing violent acts, repeated violent acts in opposition to harmless New Yorkers, migrants and asylum seekers,” the mayor stated.

Adams has had a number of conversations with the Trump staff for the reason that election, which has raised questions from critics in regards to the discussions and the mayor’s ongoing felony case.

He turned the primary sitting New York Metropolis mayor to be indicted when federal prosecutors charged him in September with bribery, fraud and accepting unsolicited donations from a overseas donor.

An investigation courting again to Adams’ time as Brooklyn borough president alleged the mayor had traded political favors with Turkish businessmen and officers in change for lavish presents, lodge stays and flights.

The five-count indictment additionally alleges that Adams was concerned with a overseas straw donor scheme that helped him get matching funds for his 2021 mayoral marketing campaign.

Adams pleaded not responsible, brushed apart requires his resignation and denied any wrongdoing. He has additionally dodged questions on whether or not he has sought a pardon by Trump.

The trial is slated for April and prosecutors stated the investigation is ongoing.

Most of the mayor’s critics, together with Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander who will run in opposition to Adams within the Democratic major, chastised the mayor for assembly with Homan.

“Eric Adams is so centered on cozying as much as Trump that he’s prepared to disclaim individuals due course of and put the security of households in danger. This open-armed embrace of Trump’s xenophobic insurance policies is a betrayal of everybody who calls New York Metropolis residence,” he stated in an announcement.