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NYC Mayor Eric Adams has suggested the majority of a busload of immigrants brought from Texas to the Big Apple fled before they arrived over a fear of the city’s crime.
‘We were led to believe about 40 people should have been on that bus. Only 14 got off,’ Adams told a woman organizing the convoy on Friday, in a conversation overheard by The New York Post.
‘Because of the fear that something was going to happen to them if they came to this location, people got off earlier,’ he speculated.
‘And we are concerned about that because we don’t want people being dropped off [just] anywhere.’
The Post said that Adams was referring to a fear of New York City’s rising crime.
The migrants crossed into the United States illegally, and then took advantage of a scheme launched in the spring by Greg Abbott, governor of Texas. Abbott has argued that Texas is unfairly burdened with migrants, and has taken to bussing them to places they would rather be – such as Washington DC and New York City, both of which are sanctuary cities. In sanctuary cities no one is asked about their immigration status when they report a crime or seek access to public services.
More than 6,000 people have been bused to Washington, D.C. since the April launch of Abbott’s scheme. Friday saw the first arrivals in New York City.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, another Republican, launched a similar effort in May and has bused more than 1,000 migrants, his office has said.
One coach arrived on Friday, and Adams on Sunday went to meet another – but was reportedly shocked that the bus was not full.
Eric Adams is seen on Sunday welcoming children who arrived in New York City from Texas
Crime rates are up almost 37 percent, year on year, according to the latest statistics from the NYPD.
Hate crimes are up 13.3 percent, and transit crimes have soared 53 percent compared to the same period last year.
Felony assaults are up 19 percent, and rape 11.3 percent.
The murder rate is down 4.3 percent, however.
DailyMail.com has contacted Adams’ office for comment on the remarks heard by the Post.
The bus from Texas is seen on Sunday pulling in to the bus terminal
Adams is seen at the Port Authority bus terminal in midtown Manhattan handing out supplies to the new arrivals
Adams is seen inspecting the food and supplies given out to the new arrivals on Sunday
He tweeted that New York was ‘stepping up’ to assist asylum seekers.
‘.@GregAbbott_TX used innocent people as political pawns to manufacture a crisis,’ Adams said.
‘New Yorkers are stepping up to fix it — that’s our city’s values.
‘But we need the federal government’s help — money, technical assistance and more.
‘Unlike Governor Abbott, New York City will always do our part, and I thank the NGOs, City workers and every day New Yorkers who have proven that today.’
Abbott remains defiant.
‘In addition to Washington, D.C., New York City is the ideal destination for these migrants, who can receive the abundance of city services and housing that Mayor Eric Adams has boasted about within the sanctuary city,’ said Abbott, who is up for re-election in November.
‘I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief.’
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Friday that President Joe Biden’s administration is helping New York and Washington D.C. with the migrants populations that have arrived from Texas.
‘FEMA is also as famous providing support, including through grant funding, so we are helping in that regard,’ she said in response to a question from DailyMail.com.
The federal agency is using funds from its Emergency Shelter and Food Program to help cities provide shelter and services.
Jean-Pierre accused Abbott of using the migrants as a ‘stunt’ and a ‘political ploy.’
‘This is what he’s been doing and it’s shameful,’ she said.
New York City received its first busload of migrants from the country’s southern border on Friday.
Washington D.C., in the last few weeks, has had two to four, sometimes five bus loads of migrants arriving daily. The level of influx is exhausting local and volunteer resources.
But Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin denied a request from Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s request for the National Guard to assist with migrants.
A Defense Department spokesperson said such a move could hurt the readiness status of the D.C. National Guard, which reports to the secretary of defense, and noted the capital city is receiving funds from FEMA.
‘We have determined providing this support would negatively impact the readiness of the DCNG and have negative effects on the organization and members,’ the spokesperson said.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that President Joe Biden’s administration is helping New York and Washington D.C. with the migrants populations that have arrived from Texas
Washington D.C., in the last few weeks, has had two to four, sometimes five bus loads of migrants arriving daily
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin denied a request from Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (above) request for the National Guard to assist with migrants
Bertilio Rosale (left) and Jose Rodriguez (right) arrive at New York’s Port Authority Bus Terminal after their almost 2,000-mile trip from New York. Rodriguez, 38, told DailyMail.com he chose New York because it has the ‘best opportunities’ of the options he was given when he crossed the border
Bowser told reporters on Friday that she wants to continue to work with the Pentagon to ensure political considerations ‘are not a part of their decision.’
She previously said the city received a $1 million grant from FEMA.
Jean-Pierre said the White House also is working with Bowser.
‘We have had constructive conversations with Mayor Bowser and her team. We will continue to do that we are committed to working with them as we do with all other elected officials as well,’ she said.
On Friday a busload of migrants was dropped off at Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan after making the almost 2,000-mile trip from the border that lasted days.
A group of charity workers and volunteers greeted the roughly 50 migrants, who were mostly men, before they ventured into the city for hotels or shelters.
One of the arrivals Jose Rodriguez, 38, told DailyMail.com he chose New York because it has the ‘best opportunities’ of the options he was given when he crossed the border.
He added that the group wasn’t allowed to leave a building in Texas building they were housed in and he lost all of his documents in his journey over the Rio Grande.
Bertilio Rosale, 54, also told DailyMail.com on arrival: ‘I want to see the Statue of Liberty and the rest of the city.
‘There are more job opportunities here, I will do anything I can. The bus here was good, we have all come from all over.’