New York City Mayor Eric Adams is seeking to amend the city's sanctuary laws to exclude illegal immigrants who have committed violent crimes.
Adams has mentioned his desire to tighten the city's regulations on illegal immigrants several times this week, most recently at a news conference Tuesday.
“I don't think people who are violent in our city and commit repeated crimes should have the privilege of being in our city,” Adams said Tuesday.
NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS DOUBLES UP CALL FOR CHANGES IN CITY'S 'SANCTUARY' STATUS AMID MIGRANT CRISIS
New York City Mayor Eric Adams holds a press conference addressing the immigration crisis that is crippling the city's resources. (New York City Hall)
He added: “You have no right to be in our city and tarnish the overwhelming number who are here following the rules.”
This echoes the New York City mayor's previous comments during a question and answer session at an event on Monday.
“The overwhelming number of immigrants here want to work. I still don't understand why the federal government won't allow them to work,” Adams said Monday. “They need to have the right to work like all of us who have come to this country have the ability to do so.”
MAYOR ERIC ADAMS SAYS NEW YORK CITY HAS 'RUN OUT OF SPACE' FOR MIGRANTS: 'IT'S NOT GOING TO IMPROVE ANYTHING'
Immigrants gather in front of the Roosevelt Hotel, where dozens of immigrants have camped out as they try to find temporary housing in New York City. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
“But those small numbers that are committing crimes, we need to modify the sanctuary city law that if you commit a serious crime, a violent act, we should be able to turn you over to [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and they have deported you.”
He added: “It is a right to live in this city and crimes should not be committed in our city. Right now, we do not have the authority to do that.”
Adams praised his administration Monday for doing a great job during a difficult time, but said his hands are tied by federal and local laws.
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Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a press conference at City Hall in New York City. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)
The mayor spoke of some immigrants who participate in robberies and use mopeds to commit robberies.
Adams has said before that immigrants who commit crimes should be turned over to ICE and deported.
Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
