Ex-Gov. Paterson backs NYC Mayor Adams’ bid to ease ‘sanctuary’ rule for violent migrants

Former Gov. David Paterson on Sunday endorsed Mayor Eric Adams’ bid to roll back New York City’s “sanctuary” protections for migrants accused of violent crimes and with prior rap sheets.

“He has evolved to the point where I think his take on the migrant issue is better than anyone else who is talking about it,” Paterson told host John Catisimatidis of Adams on “The Cats Roundtable” 770 WABC AM radio.

Hizzoner on Friday said his administration is looking into its legal options after the City Council swatted down his bid to change the Big Apple’s “Sanctuary City” policy to more easily deport migrants accused of serious crimes.

The mayor has suggested the city should better cooperate with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to potentially deport those “suspected” of carrying out “serious” crimes in light of a recent spate of violence involving migrants, some linked to gangs and with growing rap sheets.

Right now, the city’s self-declared “Sanctuary City” status is designed to help protect even those migrants from deportation.

Paterson added that even without changing the Big Apple’s status as a “sanctuary city,” the 200,000 migrants who have come to the city in the past two years are too much to handle.

Noting the the shelter, food and other services provided to arriving migrants, Paterson said, “That kind of benefit that we were allowing people, we can’t do that right now.”

Former New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, in a separate show segment, said New York City residents have only themselves to blame for electing politicians to the council who pass soft-on-crime policies.

“The voters of New York — a very small majority of them — come out to vote in the primary and thus end up influencing significantly what happens in the general election. Those voters just don’t get it,” Bratton said.

“They’re destroying the city. They’re disassembling it a brick at a time with the crazy causes they’re supporting and the politicians that they’re electing.

“Ultimately, who do you blame for the way New York is going? The voters!” Bratton said. “That small majority who do vote.

“Who do you also blame blame? The voters who don’t vote. If they were to turn out, the centrists and others, they would be the majority. Instead, they allow the minority to effectively rule the city. And look what we’re getting.”