Immigration activists criticize NYC mayor for saying migrants are good swimmers.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing backlash from immigration activists over comments he made suggesting migrants could help fill the shortage of lifeguards in the city due to their swimming abilities. While some have criticized the remarks as racist and insensitive, the mayor’s office believes they are being misunderstood.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, condemned Adams’ statement, saying it implies that immigrants make good lifeguards simply because they had to swim to reach safety in the United States. Awawdeh called the comment racist and dehumanizing, emphasizing the dangerous journeys many migrants undertake to escape violence and persecution.
The controversy arose when Adams responded to questions about a lifeguard shortage as Memorial Day approaches. He proposed a migrant and asylum seeker plan to address the issue and highlighted the potential pool of qualified individuals who currently lack work authorization.
Adams pointed out the irony of having skilled individuals waiting to work in industries like food service, construction, nursing, and lifeguarding while bureaucratic hurdles prevent them from doing so. He emphasized the need to expedite work permits for asylum seekers to utilize their skills and fill critical job vacancies.
In the face of criticism, the mayor’s office defended Adams’ stance, citing the importance of allowing all individuals, including migrants, the opportunity to work. They highlighted the mayor’s consistent advocacy for work authorization for asylum seekers and his calls for a comprehensive national resettlement strategy.
Despite the uproar from activists and conservatives alike, Adams remains steadfast in his belief that empowering migrants to work is a fundamental aspect of American values. He envisions a system that matches individuals with job opportunities based on national needs, ultimately benefiting both the workers and the country as a whole.
As the debate over immigration policies continues to evolve, Mayor Eric Adams finds himself at the center of a contentious discussion about the intersection of labor shortages, migrant rights, and the broader societal challenges facing New York City and the nation.
