New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, has expressed his concerns over the impact of the ongoing migrant crisis on the city's budget. In an interview with WPIX-TV's "PIX on Politics" on Sunday, Adams stated that the effect of the crisis has been greater than initially anticipated and that federal assistance has not been forthcoming. He referred to the situation as a "brush back pitch that knocked us to the ground," emphasizing the need for the city to make "extremely painful" budget cuts in the coming year.

Adams urged the wealthiest residents of the city to contribute financially to help New York City weather the storm caused by the migrant crisis. He called on New Yorkers to demand more support from Washington, D.C., stating that the city is shouldering a "national crisis." This plea came shortly after the announcement of deep budget cuts, including reductions in police numbers and funding for education and sanitation.

The mayor expressed his disappointment in the lack of support for immigration reform from Republicans and emphasized that cities like New York should not bear the burden of the crisis alone. He mentioned other elected officials in Chicago, Massachusetts, and Denver who are facing similar challenges as migrants are sent to sanctuary cities, placing additional strain on local resources.

New York City has seen over 130,000 migrants arrive since last year, a small fraction of the 2.4 million encounters at the southern border in FY 2023. However, Adams warned that the crisis could “destroy” the city. He joined other liberal jurisdictions in calling for increased federal assistance to cope with the influx. The Biden administration has pointed to the $770 million it has already provided to support communities accommodating migrants and has requested an additional $14 billion in emergency funding for border operations.

Without the promised aid, Adams and his administration will be forced to make significant budget cuts. He acknowledged that these measures would be "extremely painful" and that delivering essential services with limited resources would require creativity. The mayor highlighted the $12 billion hole created by the migrant influx, stating that "everything is on the table" when it comes to making cuts.

Adams expressed doubt that the Biden administration would provide substantial help to New York City in 2024. He acknowledged that Democrats had underestimated the impact of the migrant crisis and called for a course correction. Despite his criticisms, Adams believes that President Biden can win re-election but stressed the need to address the issues caused by the crisis.

The mayor also discussed other matters, including the controversial congestion pricing plan and its potential impact on the city. He expressed the desire for adjustments to be made to the plan, particularly concerning exceptions for yellow cabs, buses, and emergency service vehicles. Adams emphasized the importance of distinguishing between those who drive to Manhattan out of necessity, such as for medical treatments, and those who do so for luxury purposes.

The mounting challenges posed by the migrant crisis and the lack of federal assistance have contributed to Adams' declining approval ratings. He acknowledged that New Yorkers are frustrated and angry, holding him responsible for issues such as late trains and cuts in services. Adams, however, remains determined to navigate the city through these challenges and seek alternative solutions to mitigate their impact.