Democratic mayor receives criticism for disorganized migrant policy leading to perceived cruelty.

The Democrat mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, is under fire for the rushed and poorly executed implementation of a policy limiting the length of stay for migrants in city shelters. A scathing report issued by Comptroller Brad Lander highlighted the lack of clear objectives and written protocols in the policy, which set a 60-day limit on migrant shelter stays.

At the time the policy was introduced in October 2023, the city was grappling with a surge of new arrivals seeking shelter under the sanctuary city’s “right to shelter” policy. Mayor Adams had been vocal about the overwhelming challenges the city faced due to the influx and stressed the need for additional federal assistance.

The policy aimed to provide 60 days’ notice to families with children, offer assistance in finding alternative housing, and provide casework services to help migrants transition to their next steps. However, the report by the comptroller revealed that the policy was rolled out without clear written objectives and that the case management fell short, mainly consisting of repetitive screenings for shelter alternatives.

Furthermore, the report highlighted that the policy lacked written guidelines for crucial elements, such as exemptions for pregnant women, leading to pregnant women being evicted before such exemptions were officially communicated. Families were also not adequately informed of their rights to return to shelter or seek accommodations that could exempt them from the rule.

In addition, the policy was found to hinder migrants’ ability to obtain work authorization and unemployment benefits, while the city failed to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Lander’s office recommended discontinuing the policy in favor of more humane and long-term strategies, providing clearer information, shifting from emergency procurement to competitive bidding for providers, and tracking program outcomes.

In response to the report, Adams’ office defended its record of managing the influx of migrants, emphasizing that it had written policies in place to guide implementation, including protocols for pregnant women, training, and exit planning. The mayor’s office cited achievements such as enrolling over 18,000 children in temporary housing in schools and providing more than 65,000 immunizations.

Despite the criticisms, Adams’ spokesperson highlighted that nearly half of families issued 60-day notices had successfully moved out of the shelter system, and no migrant family with children had been left to sleep on the streets. The spokesperson reiterated the need for federal support and a national strategy to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Adams, in his recent statements, showcased confidence in handling the crisis and extended an invitation to Texas Governor Greg Abbott to experience firsthand the city’s response efforts. Adams attributed the migration influx to Abbott and offered the governor a stay at one of the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers to witness the treatment of migrants with dignity and respect.