New York, NY — In what feels like déjà vu, New York City Mayor doubled down on Friday, reviving a plan to house relocated migrants in Trump properties scattered around the city. Other sanctuary cities nationwide are reportedly considering similar measures, adding a fresh layer of irony to the ever-escalating political chess match.
“It’s clear this country’s leadership has given up on basic decency, so we’ll just have to pick up the slack,” said the Mayor, escalating what began as a rhetorical jab at Mr. Trump into a concrete—albeit still legally dubious—plan. “We’ve identified several properties perfect for housing Central American asylum seekers. We can accommodate upwards of 20,000 migrants. So, Mr. Trump, you might want to dust off those ‘No Vacancy’ signs.”
This latest round of political theater comes on the heels of Trump’s ongoing campaign rhetoric, which frequently touts the idea of shipping migrants to sanctuary cities as punishment. Although his administration had originally “floated and rejected” the idea during his last term, the notion has gained new life in his 2024 campaign as a rallying cry for his base.
In a recent Truth Social rant, the former president said the administration he hopes to re-lead is giving the proposal “serious consideration.” Of course, serious consideration in Trump-speak usually means he’s just throwing red meat at his followers, but it’s enough to keep the headlines buzzing.
The New York City Housing Authority (NYHA) confirmed that the Mayor has asked them to “identify suitable living spaces for migrants” with a special emphasis on Trump-owned properties. According to the NYHA, Trump Parc, Trump Palace, Trump Park Avenue, Trump Tower, and 610 Park Avenue—now held in trust by Trump’s children—are all on the shortlist.
“The plan is to place migrants in these vacant luxury apartments and condos,” said NYHA spokesperson Bethany Millbright. “If those fill up, we’re prepared to get creative. We’ve scoped out space at The Met [The Metropolitan Museum of Art], and we’re looking into temporary housing in Central Park. And if it comes to it, we’re ready to start knocking on the doors of current Trump property residents.”
Legal Scholars Weigh In—Again
As expected, legal scholars were quick to chime in, deeming the Mayor’s plan “illegal on several fronts.” However, they also noted that Trump’s proposed migrant-shipping strategy is equally dubious.
“Federal funds intended for homeland security cannot legally be used to settle political scores,” said Kerri Talbot, an attorney and federal advocacy director for the Immigration Hub. “Both ideas would likely get laughed out of court, though not before generating plenty of headlines.”
Omar Jadwat, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, dismissed the whole situation as “a ridiculous political stunt.”
Sanctuary Cities Double Down
Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson supported the idea of using Trump properties for migrant housing, albeit with a trademark Windy City twist.
“We’ve always welcomed those seeking refuge in Chicago,” said Johnson in a recent interview with Anderson Cooper. “We’ve built a robust support network for asylum seekers and continue to do so. As for housing them in Trump properties, let’s just say we’re not ruling anything out.”
When pressed on whether Chicago would actually start moving migrants into Trump’s real estate empire, Johnson simply grinned.
“We’re exploring all our options.”
As the 2024 election season heats up, it’s clear this idea—however absurd—will keep making the rounds. Whether it’s a legitimate policy proposal or just more political theater remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: neither side is backing down from the brinksmanship that has defined this campaign cycle. Buckle up, folks; it’s going to be a wild ride.
