NYC Mayor Puts $12 Billion Cost on Migrant Crisis, Blames ‘Broken’ National Immigration System

Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday sharpened his appeal for state and federal aid by presenting steep new cost projections for the tens of thousands of migrants in New York City’s care.

“If we don’t get the support we need, New Yorkers could be left with a $12 billion bill,” he said in a formal address to the public from City Hall.

The $12 billion is the estimate by summer of 2025 if the flow of migrants continues apace with current numbers, Adams said. {snip}

“The immigration system in this nation is broken; it has been broken for decades,” Adams said, declaring: “Today, New York City has been left to pick up the pieces.”

Nearly 100,000 migrants have arrived to the city since the spring of 2022, Adams said. While tens of thousands have moved on from the city, with new arrivals expected, the number of those remaining in the city’s shelters and emergency housing facilities could balloon to 100,000, Adams said.

“We are past our breaking point,” the mayor said.

{snip} New York City is legally required to provide beds and care in a timely manner under its unique “Right to Shelter” law.

Despite the law, migrant men found themselves sleeping for days on the sidewalk outside a midtown Manhattan intake center last week. The images were circulated on social media and received national news coverage. While those using cardboard boxes as beds have been limited to single adults, an administration official told POLITICO last week that families with children may also soon be on the street for lack of space.

More than $140 million in federal funds have been allocated to New York City for the support of migrants. {snip}

{snip}