Sanctuary City Mayors Call for Billions as Migrant Influx Breaks Records

Democrat Mayors Chicago's Brandon Johnson, New York City's Eric Adams, and Denver's Mayor Mike Johnston are now renewing calls for federal assistance to address the escalating migrant crisis.

The trio of mayors conducted a virtual press conference last week to draw attention to their plea for more tax-payer money, emphasizing the pressing need for resources to manage the surge in illegal migrant numbers that has strained city resources.

While seeking additional funds to address the surge, the mayors' request has not been without criticism. Critics argue that allocating more money to sanctuary cities might exacerbate the situation rather than alleviate it. Skepticism surrounds the effectiveness of pouring additional funds into cities grappling with the challenges of migrant accommodation.

New York City, receiving over 161,000 migrants since 2022, anticipates the crisis to cost an estimated $12 billion over three years, according to Mayor Eric Adams. Similarly, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston expressed concerns that the crisis could consume 10 percent of the city's budget.

However, as these cities seek federal aid to manage their migrant challenges, the broader question arises: Is the problem rooted in insufficient funding, or is it a consequence of the approximately 10,000 daily illegal entries into the United States?

December 2023 saw a record-breaking surge of more than 225,000 migrants along the US-Mexico border, straining already stretched resources. Critics argue that the focus should not solely be on monetary assistance but should address the root cause of the problem – the significant daily influx of migrants.

Notably absent from the mayors' discussion was acknowledgment or assistance for states like Texas grappling with high daily illegal entries. Critics point out the lack of solidarity among the mayors in extending help to Texas despite their shared challenges in dealing with migrant arrivals.

Former Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung laid blame on President Biden and Democrats, holding them "directly responsible for the completely lawless and open border." The Biden administration's approach to the border crisis faces criticism for its handling of drug trafficking, human trafficking, and empowering cartels, according to Cheung.

L to R: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson File Photo

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson disclosed plans to utilize $95 million in federal COVID relief grants to cover some of the costs of housing asylum-seeking migrants. However, this decision faced disapproval from some aldermen, with Alderman Anthony Beale likening it to "playing a shell game with millions of dollars."

As the Biden administration considers a supplemental funding request of nearly $14 billion for the border, critics insist that any financial aid should be tied to more comprehensive border changes, including stricter asylum protocols. Mayor Johnson urged the reinstatement of former President Donald Trump's "Remain in Mexico" policy and supported H.R. 2, the GOP immigration bill rejected by Democrats.

With leaders from President Biden's party joining the call for action in cities like Boston, Denver, Chicago, and New York, one must ask: Will the billions they are requesting fix the problem, or might they make things worse?