On Monday, December 16th, New York City Mayor Eric Adams appeared on the Real Talk with Mona Davids podcast to talk about the critical issues facing New York City. The conversation ranged from addressing the city’s ongoing migrant crisis to potential collaborations with the incoming Trump administration and the need for micro-mobility vehicle regulations. Mayor Adams also addressed the need to revise sanctuary city laws, manage shelter resources, and track unaccounted migrant children, all while prioritizing safety and solutions for New Yorkers.
Collaboration with President-elect Trump
Mayor Adams, when asked about working with President-elect Donald Trump, emphasized the importance of cooperation, even amid political divides. “The worst thing you could do as a leader is, after the election is over, you go into your separate corners and pout and talk about why your side didn’t win,” he said. “There will only be one winner. And no matter who is the president, the ultimate winner should be the American people, and specifically, for me, New Yorkers.” This sentiment set the tone for the rest of the conversation, illustrating the mayor’s focus on unity and solutions for his constituents.
Addressing the Migrant Crisis
The migrant and asylum seeker surge remains a focal point for the Adams administration. The mayor discussed his meetings with Tom Homan, the incoming head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), highlighting plans for tighter collaboration on criminal enforcement. Mayor Adams expressed concern about violent crimes committed by a small number of migrants and raised the possibility of issuing executive orders to enable local law enforcement to assist ICE in addressing these cases. He stated that safety must come first, and that supporting law-abiding migrants should be balanced with holding accountable those who threaten public safety.
Revisiting Sanctuary City Laws
Mayor Adams also compared New York City’s current sanctuary city policies with those of prior administrations, notably Mayor Ed Koch’s. Koch’s laws, Mayor Adams explained, focused on undocumented immigrants who contributed to the economy by paying taxes. Current policies, however, have been expanded to include migrants who may pose safety risks. Mayor Adams advocated for revising these policies to allow collaboration with ICE in cases involving violent crimes while still protecting the rights of law-abiding undocumented residents.
Migrant Shelter Closures
As part of efforts to manage the migrant influx, Mayor Adams outlined changes to the city’s shelter policies, including the closure of temporary housing facilities such as Floyd Bennett Field. He pointed to the success of time limits on shelter stays—30 days for single adults and 60 days for families—in encouraging self-sufficiency. Mayor Adams noted that 170,000 individuals out of 220,000 had found a way to be self-sufficient, an achievement he described as something to celebrate. However, he also acknowledged the ongoing challenges with long-term migrants in the shelter system.
Unaccounted Migrant Children
One of the most alarming issues Mayor Adams discussed was the revelation that 500,000 migrant children are unaccounted for. He expressed deep concern about the potential exploitation of these children and called for federal support in locating them. Mayor Adams described plans to work with ICE and other agencies to track their whereabouts and ensure their safety, warning of the dangers they face without proper oversight.
Micro-Mobility and E-Bike Safety
Mayor Adams also addressed the rise of micro-mobility vehicles, such as e-bikes and scooters, in New York City. He expressed support for licensing and registration requirements, emphasizing the importance of identifying vehicle owners. “I’m in support of the concept of any motorized vehicle on our streets, you should be able to identify the owner of it,” Mayor Adams said. He explained that the increase in micro-mobility use came after the pandemic when many people sought alternatives to public transportation. Mayor Adams noted the dangers these vehicles pose, particularly to older adults, and called for stricter regulations. He acknowledged the difficulty in removing unregistered vehicles, likening them to “gremlins” that return after being taken off the streets.
Mayor Adams emphasized his administration’s dedication to tackling both urgent challenges and long-term systemic problems. Whether collaborating with federal authorities or updating city policies, his priority continues to be the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers.
