Mayor Eric Adams abruptly cancels DC meeting on migrant crisis
MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- While on his way to Washington, D.C. for meetings related to the migrant crisis, Mayor Eric Adams abruptly turned back for New York City on Thursday morning.
A spokesperson for Adams says the mayor was heading home to "deal with a matter." No additional information was provided on why Adams left D.C., but it was believed to be a personal matter.
It is not safety or security related, and not related to the operation of the city. An NYPD official said it was "nothing on our end."
FBI agents are executing a search warrant at the Crown Heights, Brooklyn, home of Brianna Suggs, who is a campaign consultant linked to the mayor. This law enforcement action may be the reason the mayor abruptly returned back to the city, although a spokesperson declined to comment.
The mayor turned around so quickly that members of state Congressional Delegation were not notified.
It appears the mayor left an aide in Washington to participate in the White House meeting, which is continuing with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who appears to have put it all together, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Earlier in the morning, Adams tweeted a video on his way to the nation's capital.
His spokesperson said that Adams' meetings would be rescheduled as soon as possible.
The coalition of mayors were meeting to ask for more money and more support from the White House to deal with the migrant crisis.
The Biden administration has proposed $1.4 billion in supplemental funding, but the mayors say that is not enough.
Adams and the other mayors are seeking $5 billion in additional federal funding. They also asked for accelerated approval and increased access to work authorization for the asylum seekers.
City officials say in a single week this month, roughly 4,000 migrants came to Manhattan alone seeking asylum. Adams has said providing emergency housing and support is becoming untenable.
New York City has already surpassed $1.7 billion in spending. Other big cities are facing similar issues.
Adams' trip to D.C. comes as a shelter at the federally controlled Floyd Bennet Field in Brooklyn is preparing to welcome 500 migrants. With concerns over safety at the facility, no one has moved in yet.
Adams says his goal is to avoid migrant tent cities like other regions have seen.
He has said he does not see the extensive migrant crisis ending in New York City unless the federal government takes action.
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