In a dire warning to President Joe Biden, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City cautioned that the lack of federal funding to help the migrant crisis will eventually “decimate” the city, which serves as the "economic engine" of the country. Adams criticized border states for creating a “funnel” to New York and expressed concern that the city's foundation would crumble if not addressed. His warning came as dozens of migrants were left sleeping on the streets of Midtown outside the intake center at the Roosevelt Hotel due to a lack of available beds. Adams emphasized the urgent need for assistance from the federal government and state authorities.

Hours before a scheduled meeting between Mayor Adams and Tom Perez, the director of intergovernmental affairs at the White House, the mayor reiterated his concerns about the projected costs of housing and providing social services for asylum seekers. He warned that another 60,000 migrants could join the approximately 100,000 who have already arrived in the city. The city has been allocated $140 million from the Biden administration, and Gov. Kathy Hochul included $1 billion in the state budget to address the crisis. Adams also highlighted the city's Right to Shelter Law, which requires the provision of shelter to individuals without homes in the boroughs.

New York City currently cares for more than half of the recent arrivals, estimated at 57,000 individuals, in a network of emergency shelters, mega-relief centers, and short-term facilities. The daily cost for operating these facilities is already $9.8 million, amounting to $3.6 billion annually. Mayor Adams warned that if the current trend continues, the city could be responsible for housing as many as 100,000 migrants by June 2025, potentially increasing the annual cost to $6.1 billion.

The meeting between Mayor Adams and Tom Perez is seen as a crucial step in addressing the escalating migrant crisis in New York City. Adams has previously met with Perez to request additional federal funds and expedited work papers for recent arrivals. However, the mayor has expressed dissatisfaction with the level of support received so far, calling for improved coordination between the federal government and City Hall.

The cost projections for housing and supporting asylum seekers have raised concerns about the financial strain on New York City. The city's expenses are estimated to rise to $12 billion by June 2024, double the current estimate of $6.1 billion over the same time period. Mayor Adams emphasized the need for additional resources to meet the growing demand and warned that budget cuts would be necessary in various areas if the crisis continues unchecked. The city has already implemented measures to free up shelter beds, such as issuing eviction-style notices to single migrants, requiring them to reapply for placement after 60 days.

Officials have tracked an influx of migrants in the city, with approximately 2,900 new arrivals in the first week of August alone. The crisis reached a tipping point when dozens of migrants were forced to sleep on the streets outside the Roosevelt Hotel due to a lack of available beds. Mayor Adams called on both the federal and state governments to provide increased funding, staffing, facilities, coordination, and work authorization for new arrivals. He stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to address the humanitarian crisis and ensure compliance with court orders and local laws related to the Right to Shelter.

Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her commitment to providing support to New York City and pledged to allocate an additional $1 billion in next year's state budget. She emphasized the humanitarian nature of the crisis and the need for federal assistance, including the acceleration of work permits for migrants and the use of federal properties as shelter locations. Hochul acknowledged the strain on the city and vowed to continue working with the White House to address the crisis effectively.