Mayor Adams on FOX with border czar in NYC: 'If he doesn’t deliver, I’ll be back'
Mayor Adams faces backlash over ICE deal at Rikers
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing pushback after announcing an executive order allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents back into Rikers Island to target criminal offenders. The move, which marks a major shift in the city’s sanctuary policies, comes after Adams met with Border Czar Tom Homan. FOX 5's Stephanie Bertini has the story.
NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Eric Adams and President Donald Trump’s border czar Thomas Homan appeared together on "FOX & Friends" after agreeing to allow federal immigration officials to operate at Rikers Island, a decision signaling a shift in the city's sanctuary city policies.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Tom Homan Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement visit "Fox & Friends" at Fox News Channel Studios on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by John La
During the interview, Adams faced tough questions about the implications of the move, including whether the Justice Department's decision to drop his corruption case was a form of quid pro quo and whether he plans to run as a Republican in the upcoming election.
Why you should care:
"If he [Adams] doesn't come through, I'll be back in New York City," Homan said in the interview Friday, highlighting the pressure Adams faces to cooperate with the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
What else did Adams say?
What they're saying:
The interview appeared tense at times, with Adams occasionally struggling to speak and needing to clarify that he was aligned with the border czar.
Homan made it clear that he came to New York to get results and wasn’t leaving without them.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Tom Homan Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement visits "Fox & Friends" at Fox News Channel Studios on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
"I wasn't going to leave with nothing," Homan said. "I did the last time and I told them I'm not leaving until I got something and we got back into Rikers. That's huge," he added. "Now I got him on the couch in front of millions of people."
Homan's opinion of Adams
Homan, who has often criticized Adams on public safety, acknowledged a shift in his perspective after meeting with the mayor, saying, "I've called the mayor out many times for not stepping up with public safety threats, but when I sat down with him, I saw the cop in him."
Adams on sanctuary city status
When asked about whether New York City should remain a sanctuary city, Adams firmly reiterated his stance. "We will always be. This has always been a city of immigrants," he said. Despite Homan's frustration with local policies, Adams emphasized the city’s commitment to its immigrant roots.
Adams talks about his corruption case
When asked about the resignation of Manhattan's top prosecutor over his corruption charges, Adams dismissed the issue, calling it "silly" that it took three weeks for her to report criminal actions. "She took three weeks to report in front of her a criminal action. Come on, this is silly," Adams said.
Adams on Gov. Hochul

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: New York City Mayor Eric Adams visits "Fox & Friends" at Fox News Channel Studios on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
On the topic of New York Governor Kathy Hochul's suggestion that Adams could be removed from office, Adams remained confident. " She has a role. I have my role," he said.
"My attorney will handle the legal part. I'm going to handle running the city," Adams added.
Homan didn’t hold back in criticizing Governor Hochul, calling her an embarrassment.
Adams on running as a Republican
Hank Sheinkopf says Adams would likely loose as a Republican
Hank Sheinkopf joins Curt and Rosanna on the latest with Mayor Eric Adams and his latest deal with Border Czar Tom Homan to issue an executive order allowing federal immigration authorities to operate on Rikers Island, marking a significant shift in the city’s long-standing sanctuary city policies.
Amid speculation about a possible party switch, Adams said he would remain a Democrat.
Steve Doocy pushed back, citing Adams' poll numbers trailing Cuomo, but Adams remained resolute, responding, "People had me gone months ago. But you know what? I'm sitting on your couch."
New York City and ICE's troubled relationship
The backstory:
Adams moves to allow ICE agents on Rikers Island
NYC Mayor Eric Adams has announced plans to issue an executive order allowing federal immigration authorities to operate on Rikers Island. FOX 5 NY's Briella Tomassetti has the details.
Homan met with Adams at a federal office building in Manhattan as the Trump administration pushes for more help detaining and deporting people accused of crimes.
ICE has long had a contentious relationship with New York, which has rules and laws limiting police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
For two decades, ICE agents were allowed to operate on Rikers Island, but this authority was revoked in 2014 under sanctuary policies.
Under current city policy, immigration officials cannot request that city jails hold individuals wanted for civil immigration violations beyond their regular release times.
New York City has also passed measures restricting ICE's access to public schools and other city properties.
While Adams has expressed support for loosening these sanctuary policies, he acknowledges that, as mayor, he lacks the broad authority to make such changes on his own.
Adams under pressure
Dig deeper:
Manhattan US attorney resigns over Adams' case
Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, and five high-ranking Justice Department officials resigned Thursday after she refused an order to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. FOX 5 NY's Robert Moses has the details.
Despite being a Democrat, Adams has positioned himself as a nonpartisan figure, maintaining favorable ties to Trump.
Although Adams has publicly denied rumors that he’s considering a run in the Republican primary, the ongoing scrutiny surrounding his connections to Trump and his stance on ICE could make him vulnerable within the Democratic party.
The decision is likely to fuel even more debates over immigration enforcement in New York City.
Complicating matters even more is the fact that the DOJ instructed federal prosecutors to dismiss corruption charges against Adams, a move that led to the resignation of Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, and five other high-ranking Justice Department officials on Thursday after she refused to drop the charges.
Adams pleaded not guilty last September to charges of accepting over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and luxury perks, including flight upgrades and hotel stays, from individuals seeking to buy his influence.
He denies any wrongdoing.