Alina Habba Links Eric Adams Charges to Immigration Policy Criticism

Dive Right Into

Key Takeaways

• DOJ dropped charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams in February 2025 after prior accusations including bribery and conspiracy.
• Adams shifted New York City’s immigration policies by permitting ICE operations at Rikers Island to address migrant-related violence.
• NYC faced a $7 billion cost due to 230,000 migrants since 2022, pressuring public systems and driving policy changes.

Alina Habba, a counselor to former President Trump, recently claimed that New York City 🌆 Mayor Eric Adams was charged by the Department of Justice (DOJ) because of his criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policies. This statement came as the DOJ officially dropped charges against Adams, sparking debates about whether political motivations may have played a role. Habba made these remarks on February 17, 2025, during an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” where she described the legal actions against Adams as politically charged and linked them to his outspoken stance on immigration.

The allegations against Mayor Adams were initially filed in September 2024, and they included serious charges like bribery, wire fraud, soliciting campaign donations from foreign nationals, and conspiracy. At the time, Adams pleaded not guilty. However, the DOJ, now reorganized under the Trump administration, decided to dismiss the charges earlier this month. This decision to drop the case has sparked a mix of reactions, with supporters calling it a correction of previous political misuse of the Justice Department and critics alleging favoritism or inconsistency.

Alina Habba Links Eric Adams Charges to Immigration Policy Criticism

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who now serves as Attorney General, echoed Habba’s viewpoint in a Fox News interview on February 14, 2025. According to Bondi, Adams was unfairly targeted because of his criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of immigration. These comments have fueled the debate over whether Mayor Adams’ criticism influenced the DOJ’s decision-making or whether the charges were meritless from the start.

This development comes at a time when New York City 🌆 continues to struggle with the immigration crisis under Adams’ leadership. Since spring 2022, the city has faced a massive influx of over 230,000 migrants, costing approximately $7 billion in resources. Mayor Adams has frequently highlighted the overwhelming pressure this migration has placed on public systems, urging the federal government to offer more assistance. His dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s limited response was hardly concealed and became central to his criticism.

In an effort to address the rising challenges, Mayor Adams met with “Border Czar” Tom Homan and local law enforcement leaders on February 13, 2025. The meeting focused on tackling violent migrant gangs operating in the city. Following these discussions, Adams announced plans to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to operate on New York City’s Rikers Island jail. Their role would be to assist in criminal investigations targeting gangs and other violent offenders. This executive order represents a sharp change from the policies previously upheld in New York City, which had functioned for years as a sanctuary city.

For years, New York’s sanctuary policies prevented local authorities from notifying federal immigration officials when detainees were released. These rules were designed to protect undocumented immigrants and limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. However, Adams’ decision appears to shift away from this longstanding policy and reflects a growing sense of urgency to address public safety concerns tied to violence in the migrant population.

Not everyone is on board with Adams’ new stance. On February 7, 2025, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) issued a public statement condemning Adams’ directive. They argued that it undermines the legal protections of undocumented immigrants, making them more vulnerable to deportation and arrest, potentially pushing families into hiding. The organization also claimed the plan violates city law, further fueling a simmering controversy.

Adams, however, remains steadfast in his position. In a statement made just days after meeting with federal officials, he underscored the contributions of immigrants to New York City while also pointing out flaws in the larger immigration system. Adams has prioritized public safety, arguing that controlling violence within at-risk populations benefits both migrant communities and native New Yorkers, and he has called for systemic reforms to immigration laws that have long been questioned.

This isn’t the first shift in Adams’ immigration policies. Late last year, he proposed measures aimed at protecting both immigrants and longer-term residents while focusing on reducing violent crime among repeat offenders. These proposals followed meetings between Adams, top administration officials, and federal lawmakers, signaling his willingness to collaborate with federal authorities despite earlier criticism.

Another major effort under Adams’ leadership has been helping migrants gain access to legal work authorization. According to data from his administration, by December 2024, New York City’s Asylum Application Help Center had assisted with nearly 87,000 applications for asylum, temporary protected status, and employment authorization. Roughly 70% of eligible adults in city shelters had either received or applied for permission to work.

While Adams focuses on solutions, his actions have caught the attention of other political leaders. On January 27, 2025, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform requested detailed documents and records from Adams’ office regarding New York City’s sanctuary policies. The committee, which is also investigating other sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide, listed New York City as a significant example of what they believe is a disregard for federal immigration laws. Adams was even asked to testify on February 11, 2025, before Congress, further intensifying the spotlight on the city’s policies.

The dropping of charges against Adams by the DOJ also cross-links with the Trump administration’s immigration goals. Since returning to office, the administration has emphasized strict enforcement of immigration laws, citing a commitment to restore “law and order.” This includes cracking down on sanctuary jurisdictions across the country, encouraging greater cooperation between local and federal law enforcement.

For New York City 🌆 specifically, these changes could mark a new direction in dealing with immigration. The Adams administration’s modified stance on collaboration with federal immigration bodies is a dramatic break from its sanctuary past, and this creates a ripple effect for other cities facing similar struggles. Whether others will follow Adams’ lead remains to be seen, but his decisions could provide a roadmap for cities caught in the middle of competing demands for public safety, legal compliance, and immigrant protection.

The entire sequence of events highlights how closely immigration policies intersect with broader political dynamics and local governance challenges. Habba’s argument—that Adams was charged because of his opposition to federal immigration approaches—reflects just one aspect of a multifaceted debate. While some may view the DOJ’s dropping of charges as justice served, others might see it as a continuation of politicization within the justice system.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, actions taken by cities like New York not only affect local residents but potentially influence U.S. immigration policy nationwide. As Mayor Adams continues to reshape his city’s approach to immigration enforcement in response to changing dynamics, the fallout from these decisions will shape both the city’s and the nation’s immigration landscape in the coming years.

With the issues surrounding migrants, public safety concerns, and evolving local-federal cooperation, the situation in New York City 🌆 stands as a critical case study. Whatever outcomes arise from Adams’ controversial moves, one thing remains clear: immigration policies will remain at the forefront of debates about public safety, allocation of resources, and the future of comprehensive immigration reform. For now, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on New York City 🌆 and Mayor Eric Adams as the city navigates its complex immigration challenges. Visitors can learn more about related policies through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ official page on resources for immigrants (https://www.uscis.gov).

Learn Today

Sanctuary City → A jurisdiction that limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented immigrants from detention or deportation.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → A U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and investigating criminal activities involving foreign nationals.
Work Authorization → Legal permission granted to individuals, often immigrants, allowing them to work in the United States.
Asylum Application → A formal request made by migrants seeking protection from persecution or harm in their home countries.
Public Safety Concerns → Issues relating to the protection of citizens from crime, violence, and other threats within a community.

This Article in a Nutshell

Mayor Eric Adams faces scrutiny as the DOJ drops charges against him, sparking debates about political motivations. Once a staunch supporter of sanctuary policies, Adams now collaborates with ICE to curb violent migrant crime, marking a sharp shift. His evolving stance on immigration highlights the delicate balance between public safety and immigrant protection.
— By VisaVerge.com