Despite the declaration of immigration emergencies, Democrats continue to support sanctuary policies.
Democratic Politicians Maintain Open-Arm Welcome to Immigrants Despite Challenges
Despite the toll the surge of border crossers has taken on cities and states, Democratic politicians are not rolling back the welcome mat to immigrants. More than 2 million immigrants have been released into the United States from the southern border since 2021, with many choosing to move to immigrant-friendly cities up north. The influx of arrivals to cities like New York City, Chicago, and Washington has led these blue cities to call for federal assistance, but their open-arm welcome has not diminished.
Immigrant-Friendly Cities Step Up
An aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams revealed that the five boroughs have received requests for shelter from nearly 100,000 immigrants over the past year. Despite the challenges, the Adams administration remains committed to providing services to these individuals, emphasizing the stark contrast between their approach and Governor Abbott’s actions at the border.
Greg Abbott, the three-term GOP governor from Texas, initiated free bus rides to cities like Chicago, New York City, and Washington in early 2022. This move aimed to alleviate pressure on Texas border communities and was seen by some as a political stunt targeting “sanctuary” cities.
Sanctuary Cities vs. Immigrant-Friendly Attitude
The term “sanctuary city” refers to a local jurisdiction that refuses to work with federal immigration officers. While many cities have adopted sanctuary policies, the attitude of welcome towards immigrants is distinct. Immigrants released into the U.S. have documents allowing them to remain in the country through their court proceedings, making the need for sanctuary cities unnecessary.
Theresa Cardinal Brown, senior adviser for immigration and border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, clarifies that immigrants are seeking cities with job opportunities and connections to family and friends. The decision to move to large cities is driven by practical considerations rather than an understanding of sanctuary policies.
Cities Struggle to Meet the Challenge
The influx of immigrants has put cities like New York City, Chicago, Washington, and New York state in a bind. These cities have declared emergencies and appealed to the federal government for assistance. New York City, for example, has a law requiring same-night shelter for homeless families, but Mayor Adams has had to walk back this commitment due to the overwhelming number of arrivals from the border.
While cities have been criticized for providing benefits to noncitizens, such as driver’s licenses, in-state tuition, healthcare, and housing assistance, advocates like Evangeline Chan from Safe Horizon emphasize the resilience and collaboration of various organizations and community members in addressing the needs of new arrivals.
Republicans and the Need for Federal Support
Republicans like Governor Abbott and Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida argue that liberal localities’ laws providing benefits are incentives for newcomers. However, Chicago Alderman Nicholas Sposato places the blame on President Joe Biden for the lack of a federal plan to help immigrants find long-term housing and obtain work permits.
Despite the challenges, cities like New York and Chicago remain committed to finding solutions and supporting immigrants. The need for federal assistance and collaboration is crucial in managing the impact of immigration on these cities.
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