Mayor Eric Adams met with Border Czar Tom Homan Thursday, February 14th, at ICE headquarters in Manhattan to discuss the city’s role in federal immigration enforcement. The meeting comes amid mounting frustration from the Common Sense Caucus and Republican city council members over Adams’ perceived inaction on immigration issues.
Councilmembers, including Kristy Marmorato and Bob Holden, have been vocal in their criticism, particularly over the city’s sanctuary laws. Marmorato, who opposes a planned 2,200-bed migrant shelter in the Bronx, briefed Homan on the issue, with Homan pledging to escalate it at the federal level. “We will fight this every step of the way,” Marmorato said.
The Common Sense Caucus stated after the meeting, reiterating its support for Homan’s efforts to combat illegal immigration, particularly violent criminals. “His number one priority is to protect New Yorkers from violent criminals who have crossed our borders illegally,” the statement reads. They urged Mayor Adams to fully back Homan’s mission.
Meanwhile, the mayor has expressed concerns about the federal government’s increasing pressure, particularly around mass deportations and ICE cooperation, which some argue could conflict with New York’s sanctuary status.
Tensions are rising between city leaders and federal authorities, and Mayor Adams is under pressure to clarify his stance on immigration enforcement and how far he’s willing to go in cooperating with federal efforts.