Adams says NYC is in talks with ICE as Trump ends birthright citizenship
NEW YORK - In the first few hours on the job, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to seek the end of birthright citizenship and declared a national emergency at the U.S. border with Mexico, a move that could have significant implications for New York City, where there are reportedly 51,000 migrants receiving city shelter services.
This as NYC Mayor Eric Adams says the city is already in communication with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE).
Trump says he believes he is on "good (legal) ground" to change it. "I’m fine with legal immigration. I like it, we need people," he said.

Migrants are seen sleeping outside the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on July 31, 2023. Asylum seekers are camping outside the Roosevelt Hotel as the Manhattan relief center is at capacity. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Serv
For weeks, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, and undocumented immigrants have been bracing for what changes President Trump's policies will bring.
Birthright citizenship has long been protected by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, meaning Trump’s efforts to halt the policy will likely face steep legal challenges.
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Meanwhile, New York City is in the process of shutting down emergency migrant shelters, with claims that the number of asylum seekers in city shelters has decreased.
SKIP TO: Deportations | Birthright citizenship | Trump's executive order | 'Remain in Mexico’ policy
What is birthright citizenship?
The backstory:
Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the United States automatically becomes a citizen, including children of undocumented immigrants or those in the U.S. on tourist or student visas.
This principle is enshrined in the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof."
Though the 14th Amendment originally aimed to ensure citizenship for Black Americans after the Civil War, it wasn't until 1924 that all Native Americans born in the U.S. were granted citizenship.
Deportation in NYC: Adams says he's already working with ICE
Why you should care:
Adams gets grilled about meeting with Trump, 'He loves New York, I love New York'
Just two days before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with Trump to "discuss New Yorkers’ priorities." "I pledged allegiance to the united states of American not a political party," Adams explained to reporters Saturday.
Chicago deportation raids
In Chicago, the weekend marked the beginning of the first round of immigration raids, according to several news outlets.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who attended Trump's inauguration on Monday, has stated that he would not assist the federal government with deportations. However, in a press conference Tuesday, Adams said that he was already in conversations with ICE.
"We already have task forces with our federal partner," Adams said.
"People who commit violent crimes must be held accountable," Adams said, emphasizing his discussions with ICE. "We should be sending a strong message about consequences for those who break the law," he added.
Adams also noted that immigration policy is ultimately the responsibility of the federal government.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Mayor of New York City Eric Adams arrives prior to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump at the United States Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the
When asked by the NY Post if the NYPD and his administration would cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's upcoming operations in cities like NYC, Chicago, San Diego, and Denver, Adams said, "The law is the law," though he refused to clarify which law he was referring to.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the importance of birthright citizenship, stating, "Birthright citizenship isn't just enshrined in our constitution, it's key to the fundamental promise of America." She added, "While we are currently reviewing specifics of the executive orders issued by President Trump today, New York is prepared to take any action within our power to ensure that those born in our state have all the rights and protections that prior generations of new Americans have been granted."
Trump's executive order
Dig deeper:
Proponents of immigration restrictions argue that the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" in the 14th Amendment allows the U.S. to deny citizenship to children born to undocumented immigrants. Trump echoed this argument in 2023, pledging to end birthright citizenship if reelected. However, since birthright citizenship is enshrined in the Constitution, his proposed action will likely face steep legal hurdles.
The other side:
ACLU lawsuit

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 19: Recent arrivals from El Salvador, who fled because of gang violence, try to stay warm at the bis stop near the Floyd Bennett Field migrant camp on December 19, 2024 in the borough of Queens, New York City. The housin
Immigration advocates report that their offices are overwhelmed with people seeking help, driven by fear and uncertainty about their future. Many migrants are flocking to lawyers and immigrant assistance organizations for support.
Several advocacy groups, led by the ACLU, filed a lawsuit on Monday against President Trump’s executive order that would stop automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. The lawsuit, filed in New Hampshire, aims to prevent Trump from denying citizenship to these children.
What is Trump's ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy?
In addition to these concerns, the Trump administration is reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy, which forced 70,000 asylum-seekers during his first term to wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court. Immigration advocates argue that this policy puts migrants at extreme risk in northern Mexico.
According to the Mayor's office, the number of asylum seekers in city shelters has decreased for 27 straight weeks and is now at its lowest point in over 18 months. Currently, there are under 51,000 migrants receiving city shelter services, down from a high of over 69,000 in January 2024. Since the spring of 2022, more than 229,000 migrants have arrived in New York City seeking city services.