NYC mayor claims migrants are skilled in swimming and could be a solution to the city's shortage of lifeguards.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently proposed a unique solution to one of the city's pressing workforce issues. While addressing a City Hall event on May 14th, Adams received criticism for referring to migrants as "excellent swimmers" who could potentially help alleviate the shortage of lifeguards in the city.

According to reports from The New York Post, Adams acknowledged the city's struggle with a shortage of lifeguards for its pools and beaches, and suggested that migrant individuals could fill these roles. He stated, "How do we have a large number of people in our city and country who are exceptional swimmers, yet we still face a shortage of lifeguards? The only obstacle seems to be the lack of work permits for these individuals to become lifeguards. That just doesn't make sense."

He further explained, "We have a pool of qualified and eager individuals who are ready to work, but bureaucratic hurdles are preventing them from doing so." This bureaucratic hurdle refers to the lengthy and inefficient process of obtaining work visas for migrant workers. In Adams' view, speeding up this process could quickly resolve the city's lifeguard shortage.

However, some critics argue that Adams' comments not only undermine the challenges faced by migrant individuals, but also downplay the dangers and struggles they face on their journey. Many migrants are forced to travel by water to reach the United States, and describing them as "excellent swimmers" may seem like a joke to some. This adds to the already existing backlash against how New York City has handled the influx of migrants, particularly African migrants, in recent years.

According to the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), over 180,000 migrants have arrived in NYC since 2022. Many of them have faced obstacles in obtaining necessary documents to fully establish themselves in America, and with the city also facing a housing crisis, many are left without shelter. As local leaders admit to being stretched thin in addressing this issue, Adams' comments have sparked further criticism.

Despite the backlash, many believe that the migrant population can bring great benefits to the city. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander stated that the city's job vacancies and right to shelter make it an ideal place for migrants. He also emphasized that immigrants have always played a crucial role in building and uplifting the city. "This is an opportunity to create a thriving future for New York City," he said in an interview with NYCLU. "Let's base our policies on facts rather than fears, and welcome this new generation of New Yorkers."

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