Since the spring of 2022, a large number of undocumented immigrants have been flocking to New York City. Mayor Adams mentioned at a press conference at City Hall on Tuesday (4th) that the city government has received over 200,000 asylum seekers. In response to President Biden’s executive order on Tuesday limiting the number of asylum seekers, Adams stated that any policy that can slow down the entry of undocumented immigrants into New York is supported.
Mayor Adams stated that there have been 200,000 undocumented immigrants entering New York City, a number higher than any other city, so any measures to alleviate immigration entry, provide local government resources, or allow them to work are supported.
On June 4th, President Biden signed an executive order in the White House, directing the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to effectively ban illegal border crossers from seeking asylum in the U.S.; if the number of illegal border crossers exceeds 2,500 per day, the ban will take effect until the Border Patrol records less than 1,500 illegal border crossers per day for at least a week, at which point the ban will be lifted.
Currently, New York City remains one of the preferred destinations for undocumented immigrants entering the United States. Anne Williams-Isom, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, stated that approximately 1,200 asylum seekers have been added this week, with the city hoping that the President’s executive order will ease the pressure on New York City.
Deputy Mayor Williams-Isom mentioned that the number of asylum seekers in the shelter system managed by the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) has exceeded 65,000, more than the number of local homeless people in New York City’s shelter system, caring for a total of 120,000 individuals.