I think the idea is that many of them need help but are afraid to seek it for fear of being deported. He’s trying to tell them that they don’t have to worry about that.
My personal take is that he is the Mayor of the citizens and legal residents. The rest are on their own.
Amen...I understand the concern they might have but if they’d rather drown...?...get legal then, at some point SOON right?
That said, that Mayor is an AH IMHO.