New York Democratic Mayor Eric Adams said several illegal immigrants are driving a new red light district in the city.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, the majority of sex workers are of Venezuelan origin and are located mainly on Roosevelt Avenue in Corona, Queens. They can be seen even in broad daylight when many young people leave school.
Before Queens, the Bronx was home to the largest concentration of sex workers in the Big Apple.
Adams said this new red light district is one of the many ways the immigration crisis affects the city.
The New York mayor also commented that he visited the red district and verified reports that illegal activity takes place at all hours, both day and night, and that the majority are Venezuelans who have recently arrived in the city.
"This is what happens when you create an atmosphere that people can't provide for themselves and have to turn to illegal activities to do so. When I talk about the spiraling impact of how this is going to affect our city, this is what I'm talking about. We are going to create generational problems based on the failure of the national government and that is one example," Adams said.
The Daily Mail reported that it is unclear whether these women of Venezuelan origin were sex workers in their country or were being trafficked.
Prostitution is a class B misdemeanor in New York. The penalties range from up to three months in jail and fines of up to $500.
Likewise, patronizing a prostitute is a class A misdemeanor. It is punishable by up to one year in jail and fines of up to $1,000.
Adams also criticized officials working for the legalization of prostitution, explaining that this crime can lead to severe violence and public health problems.
"This is where idealism collides with realism... I've had elected officials tell me that the women are just trying work - why are you trying to harm them? - [but] there are real issues around illegal sex work, from STDs to sex trafficking girls to violence," Adams said.
