New York City Mayor Eric Adams is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C. for the 10th time to address the city’s asylum seeker crisis. This visit comes after the cancellation of his previous trip due to the FBI raiding his chief fundraiser’s home. During this trip, Adams plans to meet with FEMA leaders, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to advocate for increased federal support.
Adams has consistently emphasized the need for greater assistance from the federal government, citing the asylum seeker crisis as a national problem. Despite the city’s achievements, he believes the current federal support, though appreciated, falls short. Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom expressed gratitude for the existing federal assistance but emphasized its insufficiency.
The asylum seeker crisis has become a significant issue for the city, with over 140,000 arrivals since last spring and an additional 2,000 to 3,000 individuals arriving weekly. Recently, asylum seekers have been observed waiting for hours at re-ticketing centers to re-enter the system after the expiration of their 30-day stay limit at city shelters.
City officials report that over 50% of asylum seekers who have passed through the city’s system are now self-sufficient, but many are still seeking work authorization, which is essential for employment. The mayor’s approval rating has concurrently reached a record low of 28%, according to a Quinnipiac University poll, marking the lowest approval rating for any city mayor since 1996 when Quinnipiac began polling registered voters.