As the Trump administration restores law and order to the American immigration system, they want help from their unlikely ally, New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Following a recent meeting with Trump’s border, czar Tom Homan, Adams I’ve pledged To grant immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) access to New York City Jail, particularly Riker’s Island, to allow illegal removal of dangerous criminals in the country. During an interview with the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) “There are no borders” podcast in December, Homan explained How important it is for ice to be allowed in city prisons, and now it appears that law enforcement has access to prisons in America’s largest sanctuary city. While this is a major step forward for the Trump administration’s enforcement agenda, there is still reason to be skeptical about the mayor’s commitment. (Related: Davis: There should be no price tag for border security)

Homan himself appears to remain skeptical despite the agreement and promises to hold Adams accountable Joint interview He appeared with the mayor on “Fox and Friends” earlier this month.

“If he doesn’t get through, I’ll be back in New York City,” Homan said. “And we’re not sitting on the couch. I’m in his office, I’m going up his ass and say it’s an agreement we’ve come, and I’m going up his ass.”

Adams’ performance does not match the appearance of someone who has committed to enacting federal immigration laws. Certainly, Adams’s law enforcement background as captain of the New York Police Department has always provided a source of hope that he can move big apples away from recent lawlessness. However, this hope has not been translated into important actions, at least so far. Analysis conducted by Iruli last year Found That Adams was the second-worst sanctuary mayor in the country, after only Chicago’s Brandon Johnson. He unfounded accused the governor of busing illegal aliens in New York of racism, stopped buses at charter companies and begged for federal handouts rather than simply supporting federal immigration laws. Even before he took office, Adams boasted how proud he was of New York’s sanctuary status.

“We should protect immigrants. The times.” Adams I said at that time. “Yes, New York City remains a sanctuary city under the Adams administration.”

Adams probably had a change of mind, as it is not uncommon for politicians to distance themselves from campaign rhetoric once they experience the difficult reality of governance. During Adams’ tenure, there were moments when it seemed that his pro-technical enforcement instinct might carry the day. In autumn 2023, when the illegal immigration crisis was at zenith, the mayor Openly worried It could destroy New York.

“I have not concluded this. I don’t see the ending in this. This issue destroys New York City – destroys New York City,” Adams said. (Davis: How does Trump’s deportation plan work?)

Last year, Adams push About some changes to the city’s sanctuary policy to enable New York to help deport criminal illegal aliens. Adams failed to obtain the proposed changes through New York’s far city council, but he mostly established his position against malicious concerns about the legitimate process.

“They didn’t give the rightful procedure to anyone they shot, punched or killed,” the mayor said. “There’s a philosophical disagreement here.”

Adams acknowledges the importance of eliminating illegal aliens from the country. Still, like many progressives, he cannot bring himself to oppose illegal immigration in itself. Shortly after the announcement of a cooperation agreement with the Trump administration, Adams told him to a local news outlet I’ll protect it Unlawful aliens in New York, unless they are accused of further crimes.

“We need it here. Our economy depends on them,” the mayor said.
It’s part of who we are as a city. ”

Here is the infinite contradictions within Eric Adams and his approach to immigration. The mayor is constantly shaking between his law and order instincts and the political culture of his city, which praises illegal immigrants. One day, the mayor is talking harshly about deportation, and the next day he sings a hymn about the important role illegal aliens play in New York. When the push thrusts, Adams has consistently prioritized anti-borders ideology over in-laws rules.

This is why it’s so hard to trust Adams on this issue. At the very least, there is a need for a “trust, validation” approach, and that’s exactly what the Trump administration seems to be taking.

William J. Davis is a communications associate at the Institute of Immigration Reform Law, a public interest law firm that works to defend the rights and interests of Americans from the negative effects of mass immigration.