NEW YORK, NY – New York Mayor Eric Adams embarked on a journey to the Darien Gap to address the increasing number of South American migrants. The mayor aims to deter migrants from heading to U.S. cities already grappling with the influx.
The mayor’s trips to Mexico, Ecuador, and Colombia highlight the concerns of several Democratic city and state leaders over the Biden administration’s immigration policies. Adams, during his stop in Puebla, Mexico, emphasized that while their compassion is boundless, the city’s resources are finite. He stressed the need for migrants to receive better conditions than cities like New York can currently offer.
This foreign outreach by Mayor Adams underscores the broader shift in the immigration dialogue among Democratic leaders. The recent wave of migrants has evoked criticism from both Republican governors near the southern border and Democratic leaders in cities far from it. The latter, like Adams, point to the strain on resources caused by new migrants fleeing instability in countries like Venezuela.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have also voiced concerns. Pritzker described the situation as “untenable” in recent communication with President Biden. Johnson disclosed plans to visit the U.S.-Mexico border, noting the significant number of migrants that arrived in Chicago in the past year.
While Adams argues that many migrants are misled by smugglers and social media about the opportunities awaiting them in cities like New York, his approach has faced backlash. Organizations like the New York Immigration Coalition question the effectiveness of Adams’ foreign visits, especially in light of budget cuts in New York. These groups stress the need for local and international policy solutions rather than finger-pointing.
In the coming days, Adams plans to tour migrant shelters in Ecuador and visit the treacherous Darien Gap on the Colombia-Panama border, a journey which highlights the lengths to which the mayor is willing to go to address this pressing issue.