22:39
Nada Tawfik
Reporting from New York
President
Biden isn’t just fielding criticism from his Republican rivals for office.
Democratic leaders have been piling on the pressure too, pleading for more
federal assistance in addressing the migrant situation in their communities.
New York mayor Eric Adams accused President Biden of abandoning cities with a
national issue, and while he’s met with White House officials, he hasn’t had
any sit-downs with the president himself this year.
The city has already spent more
than $2bn (£1.58bn) on caring for 178,600 asylum seekers. Approximately
65,000 are currently still in the city’s shelters.
Mayor Adams was one of
dozens of officials from across the country pushing the federal government to
give migrants expedited work authorisation and to permanently extend the
duration of those work permits, from 180 days to more than 540 days.
Without
that, individuals and families remain reliant on the city for their needs.