Immigration advocates in New York have criticised New York City Mayor Eric Adams over alleged lack of support for Caribbean and other immigrants.

According to advocates, Adams “left behind” immigrants in his State of the City Address (SOTC) on Thursday.

In his fourth SOTC address at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, Adams noted that for centuries, immigrants have powered the economy and culture of New York City and that longstanding reality is no different today.

But Murad Awawdeh, the president and chief executive officer of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), said that the mayor “failed to mention what he will do to support immigrant New York families to not only thrive but survive the Trump administration’s deportation and family separation agenda.

“At a time when elected officials in D.C. (District of Columbia) and across the country are targeting and scapegoating immigrants, his silence on this crucial issue for our families and economy is deafening”, said Awawdeh, whose umbrella policy and advocacy organisation represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York.

“He spoke about keeping families safe, but is scheming with the Trump administration about how to turn our neighbours over to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and erode community trust in our local law enforcement,” Awawdeh told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“He talked about recent arrivals to New York City taking the ‘next step on their journey,’ when that actually means evicting individuals and families from the shelter system and leaving them on the street,” Awawdeh said, adding “we are looking forward to a future where the state of the City is more than empty words designed to burnish the mayor’s image, and where statements are backed up by actions that serve the health and well-being of every single New Yorker”.

The co-executive director of Make the Road New York (MRNY), Jose Lopez, said “while Mayor Adams speaks of a vision where New York City is ‘the best place to raise a family, he is, at the same time, trying to roll back immigration policies that protect New Yorkers.

“This city will never feel safe if our immigrant neighbours are terrified that on their way to work, school or church, they will be swept up in a raid and never see their loved ones again,” added Lopez, whose organization comprises over 28,000 members, with community centers in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island and Westchester County.

“We need Mayor Adams to show real leadership in protecting our families instead of feeding immigrant New Yorkers to Trump’s mass deportation plan,” he told CMC.

Last month, Adams announced a set of proposals that he said would protect longtime New Yorkers, and Caribbean and other immigrants and asylum seekers from violent, repeat offenders following what he described as “a productive initial conversation” with United States President-elect Donald J. Trump’s incoming “border czar” Tom Homan and Biden Administration Homeland Security official Kenneth Genalo.

Adams said the plan came on the heels of New York City spending more than US$6.65 billion — “with little to no help from the federal government” — to provide shelter and a range of services to the more than 225,000 Caribbean and other migrants who have journeyed from the southern border to New York City in the past two-plus years.

Immigration advocates say many of the migrants arriving in New York City from the southern border include nationals from Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Adams said the proposals, which he said will continue to be updated and informed in collaboration with local, state and federal government partners, law enforcement, advocates and the immigrant community, include continuing to advocate for bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform, which includes a national resettlement strategy.

Additionally, the mayor said the proposals include launching an awareness campaign to combat misinformation and to encourage Caribbean and other immigrants and asylum seekers to continue to feel safe in engaging with essential city services, including public schools, hospital systems and public safety agencies.