NEW YORK (NewsNation) — New York Mayor Eric Adams won’t meet with President Joe Biden as the city deals with overwhelmed resources amid an influx of migrants.
“You guys know where I am all the time. We’ll release if we’re going to be with the president or not,” Adams said.
Tensions between Biden and Adams have gone from favorable to fragile. Adams has criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the migrant crisis and has pressed the government for assistance in providing aid to the 110,000 migrants who have arrived in New York City so far.
“New York don’t deserve this. The asylum seekers don’t deserve this, so while he’s here I hope they reflect that New York City has done its part.”
Meanwhile, Biden and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul met Tuesday. Hochul said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she had a “productive conversation” about getting help with the growing migrant crisis.
Adams wasn’t a part of that meeting.
Adams has consistently blamed Biden for not signing a special order to grant migrants work permits he said would ease the financial burden on the city.
“That’s something the Biden administration can do with a stroke of a pen rather than waiting for Congress,” said Democratic strategist Josh Valasto.
Valasto said Adams’ public criticism of Biden is causing discomfort within the administration, but his requests for help are reasonable.
“We are the largest city in this country. We are the economic engine, not of the country but also of the world and when the mayor asks for something, he should be given it,” Valasto said.
So far, New York City has spent about $2 billion caring for the migrants and projects $12 billion by 2025 with no federal funding.
“This is a crisis that is in that is engulfing the entire country, Valasto said. “So it is the federal government’s responsibility to give the local governments whatever resources.”
Adams’ schedule Monday included meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, welcoming Sierre Leone President Julius Maada Bio and meeting with Seoul, South Korea Mayor Oh Se-hoon to sign a so-called “Sister Cities Agreement,” Fox News reports.
Politico reported that Adams also participated in a roundtable with Pakistani leaders, but scheduled no time to meet with Biden.
Biden addressed the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday morning.
Adams was invited, but it’s likely he won’t attend Biden’s campaign fundraiser or reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Tuesday, two sources familiar with the matter told Politico.
The mayor’s public schedule Monday also did not say Adams would attend two other campaign receptions Biden was expected to attend, according to the outlet.
