Mayor Eric Adams announced the closure of 25 migrant shelters across New York City and surrounding areas, citing a significant decrease in migrant arrivals over the past 22 weeks. The closures, affecting shelters in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, as well as locations in Albany, Buffalo, and Poughkeepsie, come as the city experiences a decline in new arrivals. The mayor attributed the drop to both federal policy changes limiting asylum claims, leading to fewer border apprehensions, and the city's own efforts in migrant relocation and case management.

Since 2022, New York City has received over 225,000 migrants, a surge that coincided with increased border crossings and Texas's strategy of transporting migrants to sanctuary cities. Mayor Adams, while critical of the federal government's handling of the situation, acknowledged the impact of recent Biden administration executive orders on curbing the influx. He highlighted the city's proactive strategies, including reticketing and case management, as contributing factors to the decrease. Adams emphasized that the city's goal is to help migrants transition to pursuing the American Dream, rather than residing long-term in shelters. The mayor expressed his intent to continue identifying opportunities for shelter consolidation and closure to maximize taxpayer resources.

The mayor's stance on immigration has been more assertive than some of his Democratic colleagues. He has advocated for work authorization and deportation protections for certain migrants, while also expressing willingness to collaborate with the incoming Trump administration and border czar Thomas Homan on deporting illegal immigrants with criminal records. Adams stated his belief in finding common ground and sharing his ideas with those holding differing viewpoints. He emphasized the importance of securing borders, addressing criminal activity, and ensuring citizen safety. A recent poll revealed that a majority of New York state voters support the deportation of illegal immigrants, a sentiment echoed across the state, including New York City.