Biden's 'asleep at the wheel': NYC Dems turn on White House over handling of migrant crisis

Democratic politicians in New York City protested outside City Hall on Monday, turning on the Biden administration for its handling of the ongoing migrant crisis they claim has taken over the city.

The rally was organized by Democratic state Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar of Queens, who called the situation "one of the most significant humanitarian crises our city has ever faced."

"This is an incredible citywide coalition, and not only 60 elected officials, but also faith leaders, unions, employers, migrants themselves and the people that care for the migrants in the shelters. Literally the whole city is coming together to ask President Biden for his urgent action," Rajkumar explained.

She called on the Biden administration to expedite work permits and form a plan to shelter migrants, many of whom are sleeping outside on the city's sidewalks due to a lack of available shelter space.

"The president's asleep at the wheel on this one, folks, and I'm a Democrat," said City Councilman Robert Holden of Queens. "Where is the Biden administration?"

After Democratic Mayor Eric Adams repeatedly requested help from the federal government over the past year, the Biden administration announced last week that it would be dedicating a staffer to coordinate a response with City Hall. However, local politicians claim it will not adequately address the ongoing problem.

"It's not going to get any better," Adams said. "From this moment on is downhill. There is no more room."

City Councilwoman Lynn Shulman of Queens also expressed her deep disappointment with the Democratic White House's response to the influx of asylum-seeking migrants.

"In the words of a famous singing duo, Simon and Garfunkel, who grew up in my district, to the tune of Mrs. Robinson — 'Where have you gone, President Joe Biden? New York City turns its lonely eyes to you,'" Shulman stated. "Please help us, Mr. President."

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso (D) stood by the city's sanctuary status while urging the White House to provide more aid and "finally show up."

"These other states don't want them? We'll take them happily," Reynoso said. "But with that responsibility, we need partners in the federal government to say, 'We're going to help you solve the problems that exist because of the migrant crisis in New York City.'"

Democratic Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine called the Monday protest a "cry for help."

"If you had told me a year and a half ago that in the midst of a major refugee crisis, the federal government would not mobilize to help nearly 100,000 human beings at risk, I wouldn't believe you. But that is precisely what we are facing now in New York," Levine stated.

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