More “Sanctuary” Insanity as NYC Mayor Adams Proposes Housing Illegal Migrants in Private Homes
In a classic case of addressing symptoms while ignoring causes, New York City Mayor Eric Adams continues to flail about in search of ever more creative non-solutions to the illegal alien migrant influx. Rather than calling for the Southwest border to be secured and for real solutions that would deter mass asylum abuse and illegal migration, the Democratic mayor preferred to first shelter illegal aliens in the city’s ultra-expensive hotels (the price tag for offering housing and other services to migrants exceeds $4 billion over two fiscal years). And now he’s proposing housing the so-called “asylum-seekers” in private residences.
The statement came earlier this month when the mayor announced a two-year partnership with New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), which allows up to 50 houses of worship or faith-based spaces to offer overnight shelter (for a maximum of 19 single adult males at each location). NYC also plans to open five daytime centers to provide “programming and support” for illegal migrants.
Mr. Adams then stated that it is his “vision to take the next step to this, go to the faith-based locales and then move to a private residence. There are residents who are suffering right now because of economic challenges. They have spare rooms.” He attempted to sell this policy by arguing it would be cheaper than hotels. Even so, this still represents a cost to NYC taxpayers. The funds that would be spent on paying property owners to house illegal migrants also entail an opportunity cost. After all, the money could be spent on policies to alleviate crime or poverty, and homelessness.
As if driving home the point about opportunity cost, to pay for the new wave of illegal migrants, New York City is planning on cutting services to its own residents. This would include meals for senior citizens, library hours, re-entry programs for Rikers Island inmates, and full-day free daycare for three-year-old children.
Rather than owning his city’s proud “sanctuary” jurisdiction status, the mayor has also sought to dump the migrants onto other parts of New York State. When he was prevented from doing so by a judge, Adams’ response was to sue 30 counties, claiming that their resistance was motivated by “xenophobic bigotry.” However, it could simply be that many New Yorkers – like most Americans – are smart enough to understand that one does not stop an overflowing bathtub by spreading the water around, but by shutting off the flow. Moreover, New York state taxpayers are already paying billions per year – $9.9 billion as of early 2023 – to subsidize its illegal aliens and their U.S.-born children. While New York City taxpayers undoubtedly bear a large share of that burden, the rest of the state is also forced to pay in as well and has every right to be fed up.
Mayor Adams has been forced by reality to acknowledge that there is a serious problem. His frustration has even caused him to dare criticize his own party’s leader, President Biden, and the federal government. Unfortunately, his criticism – which also attacks Republicans for blocking amnesty (what he and other advocates try to pass off as “real immigration reform”) – misses an important point. The “solutions” Mr. Adams suggests – such as expedited work permits, a better migrant resettlement strategy (rather than deterrence), or more federal money – would only exacerbate the crisis he has been compelled to face.