New York City Mayor Eric Adams sparked controversy on Tuesday when he criticized the restrictions preventing approximately 84,000 illegal aleisn in the city from working in the United States legally.

Speaking at a press conference where he discussed his administration’s efforts to relocate homeless individuals from shelters to permanent housing, Adams argued that it is “anti-American” to deny migrants the opportunity to find employment upon arrival in the country.

Eric Adams confronted over the housing of migrants on the public's dime. https://t.co/0E0ihe9uTP

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) July 7, 2023

Adams expressed his frustration with the current situation, stating, “It’s just unbelievable what’s happening to the people of the city of New York that are going through this. And nothing is more anti-American than you can’t have a job when you come to America. There’s nothing more anti-American.”

The mayor’s comments come in the midst of legal challenges faced by New York City for relocating predominantly adult, male illegal immigrants to Republican-controlled jurisdictions in upstate New York.

Adams highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by New York City, with hundreds of illegals arriving each week and over 54,100 asylum seekers still under the city’s care out of the total 84,000 who have arrived so far.

New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul tells Al Sharpton that New York City is "bursting at the seams" with illegal immigrants.

"You're gonna start seeing people living in tents — not just on the border, but on the streets of New York." pic.twitter.com/YDLCboOd23

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) May 15, 2023

He commended efforts to prevent people from sleeping on the streets in tents, and stressed the need for a comprehensive decompression strategy that involves the entire state.

Eric Adams plans to house illegal migrants in people's homes:

“It is my vision to take the next step to this: faith-based locales and then move to a private residence… They have spare rooms."pic.twitter.com/WnhkXx0rcp

— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) June 6, 2023

Both Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, have called on President Biden to expedite work authorization for asylum seekers. They argue that granting migrants the ability to work would allow them to contribute to the city and lead dignified lives.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams on the border crisis and migrants coming to sanctuary cities:
"Our cities are being undermined. We don't deserve this. Migrants don't deserve this and the people who live in the cities don't deserve this…There is no more room in New York." pic.twitter.com/tyYGMxhdeO

— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 16, 2023

Adams had previously criticized Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s bussing program, which transported illegals from the southern border to major cities like New York.