Mayor Eric Adams of New York visited a migrant welcome center in Rocca di Papa, Italy, where migrants are processed, given Italian lessons, and provided with health care before being sent out for job opportunities. He called on the federal government to assist in expediting work permits and relocation assistance for migrants in New York. The mayor, who has faced protests and investigations at home, said his trip to Rome had inspired him and given him ideas that could be implemented in New York to aid the large number of migrants who have arrived in the city.
During his three-day trip to Rome, Mayor Adams met with Pope Francis at the Vatican and spoke at an international conference on peace. He viewed similarities between Rome and New York and stressed the importance of faith in governance, highlighting his Christian beliefs. While in Rome, he visited houses of worship, including a basilica, synagogue, and mosque, emphasizing the role of people of faith in the community. Adams also expressed strong support for Israel and condemnation of Hamas during his visit to the Jewish Quarter, receiving applause from the crowd.
Despite the warm reception in Rome, demands of being the mayor of New York began to resurface as Adams addressed a fatal police shooting in Brooklyn during a virtual news conference. His busy schedule may have taken a toll on his health, as he was reported to be coughing during a visit to a migrant center and eventually canceled a visit to another organization due to illness. The mayor attributed his cold to air conditioning and continued with virtual news conferences on his trip.
Mr. Adams’ visit to a migrant integration group in Rome revealed efforts to assist migrants from over 118 different nationalities in studying Italian for residency or citizenship. The assistant to the organization’s president expressed hope that their model could inspire New York as it tackles challenges related to the migrant crisis. The New York branch of the group has also been actively working with migrants, offering potential collaboration with the mayor. Despite his sniffles, Mayor Adams expressed interest in continuing to work with the organization upon his return to New York.
In addition to his focus on migrant assistance, Mayor Adams met with the mayor of Rome and visited a new underground metro station at the Colosseum during his trip to Italy. His trip, filled with engagements and meetings, proved to be a respite from the troubles at home, allowing him to gain inspiration and ideas that he hopes to bring back to New York. The mayor’s visit to Italy highlighted the importance of addressing migrant challenges and integrating diverse communities into society, with the potential for collaboration between organizations in Italy and New York to address similar issues.
