New York Mayor Adams suggested on Tuesday (May 14) at an unrelated press conference that undocumented immigrants coming in from the southwest border could consider working as lifeguards in New York, because “they are all excellent swimmers.”
The mayor’s remarks were made during his weekly press conference. When asked by a reporter how the city government plans to address the shortage of lifeguards at beaches with the summer approaching, Mayor Adams responded, “Let me indulge in some imagination.”
“If we have a program for immigrants and asylum seekers where we demonstrate a great need, we can expedite the process,” he said. “We have a large number of excellent swimmers among them, and we also need lifeguards? The only obstacle is not giving them the opportunity to work as lifeguards. It doesn’t make sense.”
Indeed, there are a large number of immigrants crossing the Rio Grande River at the U.S.-Mexico border every day trying to enter the United States, leading to a situation of chaos in New York City filled with illegal immigrants in need of housing, food, and medical care.
Approximately 1,500 staff are needed at the 14 miles of beaches and public pools throughout the city. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, responsible for operations, stated that 560 new lifeguards had passed rigorous job tests before this summer, compared to 364 people last year.
In recent years, the Adams administration has been actively recruiting new lifeguards, raising wages to $22 per hour, and providing a $1,000 bonus for seasonal workers.
The mayor also mentioned other jobs that could be filled by these undocumented immigrants.
However, there is a significant divide between the two parties regarding the issue of granting work permits to illegal immigrants. A Gallup poll in February this year showed that 85% of Republicans support increasing penalties for companies that hire undocumented illegal immigrants.