NYC Mayor Eric Adams: We can be a sanctuary for immigrants but still fight crime
As mayor of New York City and a former police officer for 22 years, keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority and it has been our administration’s North Star.When I entered this role, my job was to help our city recover from the negative effects of COVID — most importantly, to bring crime down.
As a result, overall crime was down across New York City last year, and we have now had three straight months of double-digit declines in major crimes.Tomorrow, I will be testifying before the United States Congress on how under our administration’s leadership, New York City can continue to reduce crime, even as a “sanctuary city,” and how big-city mayors can add sense back into governing.It starts with standing firm in rejecting the misperception that a “sanctuary city” classification means our city will ever be a safe haven for violent criminals.We must continue to ensure that those who commit violent crimes, no matter long-time residents or new arrivals, are held accountable and that the public is kept safe.Being a “sanctuary city” also does not give New York City the authority to violate federal immigration laws.
To the contrary, New York City will always comply with city, state, and federal laws, as it does now.Second, we must recognize that law-abiding immigrants in New York have played an important role in our society.Immigrant New Yorkers, including those who are undocumented, pay billions of dollars in taxes and contribute billions more in spending power to our economy.
Immigrants also play a vital role in the functioning of the city; this was on full display during the COVID-19 pandemic.The various immigrant residents of our city worked to keep the city moving while many other New Yorkers were able to shelter in place and work remotely.Hospitals, the food industry, and many other businesses were able to function because of the commitment of our immigrant population.Finally, we must understand how — despite a patchwork of laws at the federal...