After his latest trip to Washington, DC, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City expressed his disappointment and frustration with the lack of federal aid to handle the migrant crisis. Despite being invited to meet with Biden administration officials during his visit, Adams admitted that "help is not on the way in the immediate future." This realization came after a meeting with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, which Adams had hoped would provide options for federal assistance. However, the specifics of the meeting were not made public.

While in DC, Adams also met with other New York lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, but these meetings also proved uneventful, according to sources. The overall sentiment among these officials is that the crisis will need to be addressed by the cities themselves, as the federal government has not provided substantial support.

Since the start of the crisis, over 150,000 migrants have come through New York City, causing strain on the city's shelter system and leading to unpopular budget cuts. The estimated cost of dealing with the crisis is $12 billion, but the federal government has allocated less than $150 million to New York City. This lack of financial assistance has contributed to the city's budget woes, as Mayor Adams pointed out. He described the situation as “untenable” and emphasized that New Yorkers are suffering the consequences.

Despite his efforts to seek federal aid, Adams did not leave DC with any optimism for change. He acknowledged that the burden of the crisis is falling on the cities, and he expressed concern about the upcoming $7 billion budget deficit that New York City will need to address in January.

The mayor's visit to Washington, DC did not include a meeting with President Biden. Instead, Adams received an invitation to a White House-run holiday party, where he would join numerous other local officials. It remains uncertain whether Biden would be present at the party. Adams has been critical of the federal government's handling of the migrant crisis and has not had any direct communication with Biden this year, despite previously touting his close ties to the president.

Overall, Adams' trip to DC highlighted the lack of federal support for New York City's migrant crisis. With no immediate aid forthcoming, the burden of dealing with the crisis falls on the city itself, exacerbating budget deficits and straining social services. The mayor's frustration and the impact of the crisis on New Yorkers are evident, as reflected in his declining approval rating.