New York City's Democratic Mayor, Eric Adams, has embarked on a four-day tour to Latin America, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the migrant crisis and discourage further asylum-seekers from flocking to the city.
Adams initiated his journey on Wednesday, with his first stop being Mexico City. Here, he engaged with local leaders to discuss strategies to curb the influx of migrants into the United States. Later that day, he visited the Historic Center of Mexico City, where he addressed business leaders and was granted a private tour of the Basilica de Guadalupe.
"We are setting off to Mexico to engage with regional leaders and to commence the process of comprehending the migration flow to New York City and across the entire country," Adams declared before his departure to Mexico City. He further emphasized the importance of these discussions at all levels - local, national, and international - to devise a resolution.
In a news conference held on Tuesday, Adams elaborated on his trip's objectives. He stated that his visit to Mexico, Ecuador, and Colombia is intended to provide migrants with an accurate depiction of the strained resources in New York City. He also expressed his desire to learn more about the surge of migrants traversing the Darin Gap, a dense jungle separating South America from Central America.
Adams alleged that individuals in Latin America are being misled by a deceptive "public relations campaign" about the resources and opportunities available in New York City. He expressed his hope to collaborate with local leaders to initiate a dialogue on how to alleviate the crisis.
The mayor's deputy for communications, Fabien Levy, and his team are tasked with securing Adams' appearances on numerous local television and radio stations to "deliver the honest truth." Levy confirmed that local media would be invited to all of Adams' events.
Adams expressed concern over the false hopes and promises being fed to the people. "We want to provide a genuine picture of the situation here," he stated. "We are at capacity, exceeding 117,000."
Adams advocated for a comprehensive plan to tackle the migrant crisis, involving local, state, federal, and international collaboration.
The mayor intends to convey to migrants that "arriving in New York doesn't guarantee a stay in a five-star hotel." He added, "It doesn't imply that merely arriving here will automatically grant you work permission."
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