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The mayor, who fought New York City, defended the city’s approach to immigration in his opening remarks, linking his attitude to public safety and said, “As the mayor of New York City and former police officer, keeping New Yorkers safe is my number one priority.”
Adams said he appeared on Wednesday to testify on how cities continue to reduce crime “even as a sanctuary city.”
“To be clear, the sanctuary’s urban classification does not mean that our city will become a safe haven for violent criminals,” Adams said. “It also doesn’t give New York City the authority to violate federal immigration laws. For the country, New York City will always comply with city, state and federal laws as it is now.”
Adams said New York law-abiding immigrants have a “critical role” and contribute to the city’s economy, among other things. He said his role as mayor includes managing the population within his city.
“We can’t have a city where parents fear sending their children to school, or a city where their children sleep on the streets. It creates the possibility of child exploitation and sex trafficking,” Adams said. “If an undocumented person refuses to seek medical care until a medical emergency occurs, our city’s health care system is tense and if an undocumented person has witnessed the crime but is afraid to call 911 for fear of being extradited to federal authorities, the offenders will roam freely.”
But Adams said he is “committed to working with federal officials to pursue violent gangs and those who harm the residents of our city.”
