NEW YORK (PIX11) – New York City Mayor Eric Adams has come under fire for suggesting migrants could make good lifeguards because they are “excellent swimmers” during a news conference Tuesday.

“If we had a migrant and asylum seeker plan that states those jobs that we are in high demand, we could expedite,” Adams said. “How do we have a large body of people that are in our city and country that are excellent swimmers, and at the same time we need lifeguards?”

Adams was answering a question about New York City’s lifeguard shortage when he made the remarks. Some people on X called the mayor’s response racist.

“Wouldn’t that be considered a racist remark? Damn, Mayor Adams,” said one X user.

“Mayor Adams tells us he is racist without saying it..” said another X user.

Some migrants cross a river at the southern border to get into the United States.

Adams also suggested that migrants and asylum seekers be hired as food service workers and nurses depending on their existing skills and the need for workers in those fields.