Gillen Holds Mayor Adams Accountable for his Mismanagement of New York City’s Migrant Crisis During House Oversight Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) joined the House Oversight Committee for a hearing with “Sanctuary City” Mayors and questioned New York City Mayor Eric Adams on his mismanagement of the migrant crisis has left Long Islanders to pay the price. Gillen has previously called for Adams to do the right thing and resign, contending that his singular focus on his own self-interest has failed New Yorkers and jeopardized public safety in America’s largest city. Below is a full video of her question line and a transcript of her remarks:

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Watch Rep. Gillen's full question line here. 

“My focus today is the effect on my constituents. Every day, my constituents on Long Island are dealing with the effects of the failure to secure our borders – and an influx of more than 670,000 migrants coming into the State and New York City – putting a strain on our schools, on public safety and law enforcement, and local governments. 

“Instead of effectively governing the city, your policies have compounded this crisis. New York has housed migrants in the Roosevelt Hotel, giving them food, health care, and debit cards. In total, New York taxpayers have paid about, as you acknowledge, nearly $7 billion to respond to this crisis. Now, instead of stopping the bleeding, you are going back and asking the taxpayers of New York to spend another billion dollars on this crisis.

“While you’ve been focused on your own personal problems, crime has skyrocketed in New York, increasing 20 percent since you took office in 2021. An AP poll has said that a majority of Americans agree that undocumented people who commit violent crimes should be deported, including 79% of Democrats.  

“But what have you done? I was astounded to hear that ICE was prevented, even if they knew there were gang members in the Roosevelt Hotel, from actually doing anything to get those gang members out of there. Mayor Adams, what have you done? What is your answer to the taxpayers of New York?"

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