Mayor Johnston Went to Washington, Warning of ‘Catastrophic Impacts’ of Migrants
Mayor Mike Johnston is expressing his deep concerns about the influx of migrants to the city of Denver and the lack of support the city is receiving from the Biden administration.
Johnston, along with mayors from major cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston, recently met with White House officials to advocate for more federal resources to help manage the rising number of migrants arriving at the southern border. However, there was no firm commitment from the Biden administration to provide financial assistance.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is leading a coalition of mayors to meet with the Biden administration about getting more funding to address the incoming migrants from the Southern border. (Fox31)
According to Mayor Johnston, the city is spending a whopping $2 million a week to provide resources for migrants, putting a strain on public resources and the school district.
This $4 million a month expenditure for Denver taxpayers is not sustainable, said an exasperated mayor.
Currently, there are approximately 2,000 migrants sheltered in the city, with over 26,000 people having received aide since December of last year.
Mayor Johnston highlighted the challenges faced by the city, including the federal government prohibiting these migrants from working for the people who want to hire them. This makes it difficult for the city to manage the growing number of arrivals.
The city has implemented measures to help migrants, such as sheltering families for up to 37 days and single men for up to 14 days. However, with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Johnston expressed concerns about the potential influx of migrants fleeing the war to Denver and the impact it would have on the city.
The administration is also working to find contractors to manage shelters, provide food, and resources for migrants. However, without the necessary support from the federal government, the city is struggling to keep up with the increasing demand.
Mayor Johnston's meeting with the Biden administration was a necessary step in addressing the current challenges faced by the city of Denver. As the influx of migrants continues, it is imperative that the federal government steps up and provides the necessary resources to support communities like Denver.
Since Johnston took office in mid-July, the number of migrants in city shelters has more than tripled. This has forced the city to declare a state of emergency in order to properly address this crisis.
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While Johnson maintains that the city's systems are still working to manage the influx of migrants, he also recently stated that Denver cannot solve this issue alone. The city has been seeking help from various government, nonprofit, and faith organizations, as well as reaching out to school districts for assistance.
Mayor Johnson's message to Denver’s city council has been crystal clear: Denver cannot solve this problem alone. The situation at the southern border is not a local issue, and it is time for our leaders in Washington to act and address this crisis head-on.