Mayor Eric Adams Holds In-Person Media Availability
Speaker 12 (45:02):Mayor Adams, happy New Year to you and the team.
Mayor Adams (45:03):Happy New Year.
Speaker 12 (45:07):Thank you. Have you considered a push to reverse sanctuary status?
Mayor Adams (45:11):I’m sorry?
Speaker 12 (45:12):Have you considered a push to reverse sanctuary status or do you believe in the tenets of that…
Mayor Adams (45:16):Sanctuary city status? No, because this is not the case here. These people are paroled into the city. They don’t fall under sanctuary city status.
Speaker 12 (45:28):Send a signal to those who seek to come to the city though [inaudible 00:45:30].
Mayor Adams (45:31):
I don’t think… When I went down to the Darien gap, it was clear to me the desire, the people coming to America, the propaganda that’s being used, one of our colleagues was saying that they were on a plane coming from Arizona and almost 80% of the people on the plane were migrants and asylum seekers taking pictures of themselves saying, “We are here in America.” And so I don’t know if that’s the answer. The answer is for our national government to resolve this issue. That’s the answer. Tinkering around the edges is not going to, I believe, going to do the job.
Speaker 13 (46:15):
Happy New Year, Mr. Mayor and everyone. Mr. Mayor, I want to pivot to education and to this upcoming legislative session. So first question on education is are you planning on seeking any changes to that unfunded class size mandate law? Because it’s already starting to have an impact and a very negative impact, and it’s unfunded. And then my second question, Mr. Mayor, with regards to mayoral control, what are you seeking with renewing mayoral control? And are there any other changes to the current governance system that we have that you are seeking, perhaps changing the number of members? It’s a bit unwieldy right now. And then last but not least, what are your legislative priorities, your other legislative priorities for this session?
Mayor Adams (47:13):
Yeah, I met with the team, Tiffany Raspberry, Ingrid, Diane Savino, former state senator. We had a conversation over the last few days about focusing and zeroing in on that. Number one, mayoral control. I want the same thing that my former mayors had. We have two public school, we have a public school man, a public school chancellor. We understand the importance of the quality of education. And both of us had two different experiences. So I would like the same thing they had, they were allowed to turn around the school system. We’re seeing some real productivity in the Department of Education, everything from giving our children quality food, to what we’ve done with Summer Rising, to the test scores outpaced in the state. So we’re seeing some real W’s, I think give us the opportunity to continue like we gave to other mayors.
(48:08)
Second cannabis enforcement. It needs to be localized. We need to be able to close down these cannabis shops. I stated, if I’m giving the enforcement opportunity, we will close down these shops in 30 days. They’re making a mockery of the process and we need to make sure that we close them down. Housing, everyone talks about the need of housing, yet we got nothing out of Albany last year in housing. That just can’t happen. We have to deal with the inventory issue that we are facing. We’re doing our part here with Dan Gorodnik and Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. We’re going to do our part and we’re going to push through, but we need help in this issue around housing, and they’re migrants and asylum seekers.
(48:55)
We need the support on the state level to make sure that we can manage this crisis that’s impacting the economic engine of the state, which is New York City, of, if you look at the four huge areas, those are huge areas for us. And as you said, with the class size manner, I think that the ideal of that legislation gets in the way of the wheel of making sure we’re not taking resources from those schools that are in greater need. And that’s going to be part of our agenda when we go to Albany.
Speaker 14 (49:30):Hi, Mayor Adams.
Mayor Adams (49:30):How are you?
Speaker 14 (49:31):
I’m great. Happy New Year. I wanted to ask you, I know you had mentioned previously you planned to go down to DC taking some faith leaders with you. I want to know when you do plan to visit DC next. And my second question, I guess related to what other people had asked, when you announced this executive order, did you not foresee that people would kind of circumvent the rule? And have you been in conversations with, I know you said you’re kind of anything’s on the table, but were you surprised? I don’t know if Ms. Norbert wants to answer, but were you surprised to know? Because I think even hearing the executive order that the thought is okay, they’re just not going to come into the city. They’re going to find other ways. I don’t know what your initial reaction was.
Mayor Adams (50:07):
First DC, I’m going to DC I think on the 17th or 18th to meet with the mayors across the country because I want them to get more engaged in this. And we learned about the layers of doing this from Mayor Johnson in Chicago. And he stated that they started, after he put in his EO, they started dropping off outside. And so we knew there was going to be layers and we’re going to continue to respond based on the layers. This is a diabolical plan by this governor, and we’re going to have to respond based on what he’s doing. And we did have communications with our other municipalities in the region. We did speak with them, communicated with them, and we want to encourage them all to put in a similar EO. That’s our goal. We had 164,000, almost 165,000 people who have come here. 57% have been able to get stabilized because of the job that this team is doing.
(51:18)
And so Governor Abbott and the bus companies need to coordinate to make sure we can use our manpower correctly, make sure we could have the space correctly and do it in an organized timeframe that we could do it correctly so we don’t have disorder in our city.
Speaker 15 (51:34):
And Katie, I would add again to the point the mayor made. We were in contact with officials in both New Jersey and in New York State and the surrounding counties before the EO was issued, specifically because we knew what he did in Chicago. So, we wanted to make sure that did not happen.
(51:49)
That’s why the mayor has been very clear. Every town, every county on a Metro North line, on a New Jersey Transit line should be issuing a similar EO right now to stop Abbott from … No, we’ve spoken … No, no … to a number of counties and towns in Jersey and in New York state both right around here and even upstate to make sure that if he wants to go to Albany, for example, that we are ready for that.
Mayor Adams (52:13):And the one that was issued-
Speaker 15 (52:15):We’ve spoken to a bunch.
Mayor Adams (52:17):
The one that was issued, he doesn’t realize it, but he joined our team. We want everyone else to do what he’s doing. So, he blames me that he’s issuing the EO. Actually, he can blame me as much as he wants. Just get more EOs. Call others to do it as well.
Speaker 16 (52:36):
And Katie, sometimes people don’t realize the magnitude, the scale of what’s about to hit them until it hits them. So, now that we’ve issued our EO and the other states have been impacted by it, maybe they’ll understand the magnitude and the scale and they will join with us.
Speaker 17 (52:53):Hi, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Adams (52:54):How are you?
Speaker 17 (52:54):
Good. Two questions. First, then, is it fair to say that the goal of the EO is to spark a like large web of similar EOs across the region in a way that will somehow ultimately stifle the Abbott bussing? Is that the idea? And do you plan to also seek an EO that would apply to planes coming through the Port Authority and whatever other means of transportation people use?
(53:21)
And then second question is, you’ve talked a lot about how average New Yorkers seem not to understand that you can’t just deport migrants. If you could deport them, would you?
Mayor Adams (53:33):
Let me peel back each level. One, the goal of the EO is to coordinate people coming to our city so we can utilize our manpower better, so that we could utilize how to have spaces for people. So, that’s the goal. The goal is not to have this cascade of EOs go out. That’s a byproduct. The goal is to coordinate so that I don’t wake Deputy Mayor Williams‑Isom up at three in the morning saying, hey, a bus was just dropped off at a location in the Bronx somewhere. That’s the goal.
(54:13)
The second is that what people didn’t understand, what are my abilities? And so when I talk about the list of things, it’s because people came to me and said, “Hey, why don’t you deport people?” I don’t have that authority. The federal government has that authority. “Why don’t you stop the buses from coming in?” I don’t have that authority.
So, my goal is to answer the questions that people are giving to me, that everyday New Yorkers have been giving to me and some of them are very knowledgeable but not aware of my authority.
So now, would I deport or not? I’m not going to respond in hypothetical. If you do something that’s harmful to the city repeatedly, I don’t think you should be in our city. Our city should be a place of safety. It should be a place for those who appreciate being part of the American experience.
Speaker 18 (55:02):Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Adams (55:03):How are you?
Speaker 18 (55:03):
Good. Circling back to your meeting with Governor Murphy in the coming days or today. So Governor Murphy and a growing number of New Jersey towns are saying they’re not going to welcome migrants. Aside from this executive order, what will you ask them to do? And why hasn’t this united coalition been created prior to this, ’cause now we seem like we’re in this whack‑a‑mole situation of going to different train stations and there’s no executive orders. And just to circle back with Fabien saying that you guys have been in contact with all these towns. Was it before or after the executive order was issued?
Speaker 15 (55:35):Before.
Mayor Adams (55:35):You said before?
Speaker 15 (55:38):Yes. And more after, but before.
Speaker 18 (55:40):
But coming in back to, are you looking to expand the executive order further as building off what Dan was asking. In Chicago already, they’re bypassing the executive order by sending people on planes. So what power does the city have and what are you exploring differently?
Mayor Adams (55:54):
And that is so important because New Yorkers have continuously asked, ” Why is this happening to us?” And people have said, “Hey, mayor, why are you allowing them to do this to us?” That’s why we’re in this important communication and education to let New Yorkers know I’m angry. They’re angry. And where we need to have the anger pointed to. Because they didn’t know. I mean, this is so new to everyday people watching their city being consumed like this.
(56:27)
And our goal is to educate New Yorkers where your anger should be pointed to and how we’re going to use everything within our powers to make sure that, if there’s things we can do to stop planes, like I said there was a plane that was diverted to Philadelphia because of smog. But it was coming here.
So, those who, like Governor Abbott, who they want to do things that are disruptive, they’re finding different ways to do it. So, we have to find different ways to stop them and fight on behalf of the city. Oh, no, let him finish. Go ahead.
Speaker 18 (57:04):So are you looking to expand the EO to cover things like planes, and what are you going to ask Governor Murphy to do and what can New Jersey do to help?
Lisa (57:11):
Let me just jump in here. We are exploring together with our partners every legal option. And I think that’s all we can say at this time. You used the word whack‑a‑mole. I used the word bonkers. Maybe another way to say it is wake up federal government. Because it should not be. There are people’s lives at stake here. And to use the term whack‑a‑mole, which is what the state of Texas is looking to do, doesn’t that just feel weird and out of alignment when we’re talking about families with children? Just pause for a moment on that.
(57:56)
But as New Yorkers, we’re not going to take this lying down. We are going to continue to pursue and consider every legal option to maintain order and our ability to manage a humanitarian crisis.
Speaker 19 (58:07):Happy New Year, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Adams (58:11):Happy New Year to you.
Speaker 19 (58:14):
I wanted to ask about New Jersey and just in general this idea that you called for which is a decompression strategy. Now, the governor of New Jersey last year rejected the idea of creating an emergency shelter in Atlantic City. Given what’s happening now, are you disappointed that he’s not stepping up in this way to accept some migrants?
(58:39)
And I wanted to also ask if there was an update on the outcomes of migrants who went upstate and whether you would like to ask the governor if she would do more in that regard and whether that’s another option, which she did last year, which is relocating some people to other parts of the state who might need jobs?
Mayor Adams (59:02):
And you said the magic term, who may need jobs. That’s why we’ve been fighting for allowing people to work. When I look at any municipality … And we have many communications. We’ve had a great deal of communication with our colleagues across the state, and they’re saying, “Eric, we don’t have a problem with taking migrants and asylum seekers. We just want them to be able to work.” I’m not angry at the governor who is saying let’s let people work. We’re all saying the same thing. The challenge of this policy, which I think is just so anti‑American. We allowed the Ukrainian citizens who came here, we allowed them to work. We allowed our immigrant communities to come here, we allowed them to work. This is so anti‑ American. And if we don’t get to the corner of this, okay, you could keep expanding this, but it’s not sustainable. And we want to go to fix the problem while we are dealing with what Governor Abbott is doing. We want a strategy of dealing with the court strategy of the entire right to shelter. That’s why we’re in court tomorrow.
(01:00:22)
We’re going to deal with the strategy of how do we get people to be self‑sustaining. That’s what Deputy Mayor Williams‑Isom is doing. But we also need a federal strategy to slow this down. We have to turn off the faucet. So, Governor Murphy, I’m sure if we had people with the right to work, he’d be more than willing to accept people into the state of New Jersey.
Speaker 20 (01:00:47):
I wanted to just … Hi Liz. Happy New Year. I have a cold. Everybody, make sure to test yourself. COVID and flu is going around, so make sure that everybody stays well.
I wanted to talk about Governor Hochul. So, I think yes, the folks that have been resettled up state are doing well and we have from the very beginning talked about needing to really resettle 1,250 families upstate. I think thus far Camille it’s 80 families who have moved.
Speaker 21 (01:01:19):Eligible that are waiting to move up.
Speaker 20 (01:01:20):
That’s a problem because we can’t be the only one that have to be on demand and provide shelter and do everything with the mandates that we have right now. And so I think it would help a lot if there was some way that the state could expedite that, even moving people up who are eligible until they find the housing. I understand that it’s a challenge, but I think all of us have to be in this together.
Speaker 22 (01:01:44):What exactly is the hold up that you’re told?
Speaker 20 (01:01:47):You want to Camille?
Speaker 21 (01:01:49):
Yeah. I think you would have to ask the state and I would encourage you to do that. But we have clearly created the pipeline that is necessary. They gave us criteria. They said that individuals needed to have completed their asylum application. Again, there are 300 families that are ready and willing to go upstate. Even if they need additional assistance, it’s not assistance that any other county, any other city could not provide. What we’re doing here is not unique.
Speaker 22 (01:02:16):Would you be paying for the shelter as you did last year?
Speaker 23 (01:02:17):We’re going to do the last one so we can wrap it up and then, I don’t know, if you have something, yeah.
Lisa (01:02:19):
Just [inaudible 01:02:20] there have been a few questions to the mayor about New Jersey and I want to publicly thank the authorities in New Jersey who all weekend and since we entered our executive order and since before we entered the executive order, have been coordinating and completely cooperative with the City of New York, and it is greatly appreciated.
Speaker 24 (01:02:40):
Hi, mayor. Just a quick question about the Gowanus emergency shelter at 103 3rd Street. Just want it to be clear that the administration was aware that the site itself was being investigated by the DEC for soil vapor intrusion. And if that’s the case, why make that decision and, lastly, are there any plans to either move migrants or find a new shelter if it’s found that the air has contamination that’s above the state standards?
Mayor Adams (01:03:14):Anne?
Speaker 25 (01:03:15):Yeah, you could start in off.
Speaker 20 (01:03:17):
That shelter, from what I understand, I don’t know if it was particularly for migrants, I have to look back at my notes, but it would go through the regular process, all the regulatory precautions that we would need to, including an environmental one. And if it was not fit for people being sheltering there, we would not have people there.
Speaker 25 (01:03:36):
Yeah, I was just, and essentially saying that’s the requirements we have with all of our regulatory agencies. All of the centers have to go through the checklist to ensure that it’s habitable. And if it’s not, then we take it off the list.
Speaker 23 (01:03:54):Okay, thank folks.
Speaker 20 (01:03:54):Thank you.
(01:03:54)(singing)