Compared to many of his fellow Democratic leaders, Eric Adams continues to stake out a far less combative approach to President-elect Donald Trump. “I’m not going to be warring with this administration,” the mayor said during a press conference last week. “I’m going to be working with this administration.” In particular, Adams confirmed that he wanted to meet with Trump’s incoming border czar, Tom Homan, an immigration hard-liner who was a strong proponent of the first Trump administration’s family separation policy. Homan has said that the second Trump administration will back workplace raids and mass deport migrants — in some cases, along with their legally documented family members — as well as target any cities where local government officials try to protect migrant populations from the federal crackdown.
New York City, which has received more than 225,000 migrants since 2022, would likely be a primary target of any immigration action undertaken by the Trump administration.
On Thursday, Adams and Homan finally met behind closed doors at City Hall. Afterward, the mayor said they both came to the conversation with the same objective in mind: finding the best way to keep Americans safe. “His goal is the same goal I have. We cannot allow dangerous individuals to commit repeated violent acts of violence in our cities across America,” the mayor told reporters, echoing the Trump team’s rhetoric on the issue.
In the brief press conference, Adams accused the media of having “preconceived notions” about what he’s said on the issue of immigration, saying his positions have not changed. “We’re going to protect the rights of immigrants in the city that are hardworking, giving back to the city in a real way,” he said. “We’re not going to be a safe haven for those who commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants, and long-standing New Yorkers.”
On the subject of New York City’s sanctuary city status, Adams said that falls to the City Council, which has appeared to oppose any possible change. However, the mayor said he still intends to work with his legal team to find the best use of his executive powers to go after violent actors. “Once we come to a full understanding of that, then we will report on it,” he said.
Homan has taken aim at Democratic leaders who have voiced opposition to Trump and his administration in the past. “Chicago is in trouble because your mayor sucks and your governor sucks,” Homan said at a Republican event in the city Monday, referring to Democratic Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
In a brief interview with Politico that day, Homan said he was open to working with the Illinois leaders. “They need to reach out to me, just like the mayor of New York reached out,” Homan said.
