Staff Reports
In a desperate plea for help, the mayors of Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York have sent a letter to President Joe Biden, requesting federal assistance in managing the influx of migrants overwhelming their cities. These Democratic leaders, while appreciative of Biden’s efforts thus far, argue that much more needs to be done to alleviate the burden on their already struggling cities.
The dire situation on the ground paints a bleak picture. Migrants are being forced to sleep in police station foyers in Chicago, while a cruise ship terminal has been transformed into a makeshift shelter in New York. In Denver, the number of migrants arriving has skyrocketed, stretching available resources to their limits. With limited work authorizations, these migrants are unable to secure jobs or find suitable housing.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who is leading the coalition, has been inundated with pleas for assistance from desperate migrants. He laments the current state of affairs, stating, “The crisis is we have folks here who desperately want to work. And we have employers here who desperately want to hire them. And we have a federal government that’s standing in the way of employers who want to hire employees who want to work.”
This issue is a major headache for President Biden, who is already grappling with managing the chaotic situation at the U.S.-Mexico border. With members of his own party criticizing his handling of the migrant crisis, Republicans are seizing the opportunity to accuse Biden of being weak on border security and allowing an excessive influx of individuals into the country.
In an attempt to address the growing problem, Biden has implemented stricter rules at the border and offered work authorizations and incentives to those who arrive legally. However, the reasons behind the surge of migrants in these cities are complex, with economic and climate-related hardships in their home countries playing a significant role. The number of families seeking asylum is also on the rise.
Mayors of Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles and New York ask to meet with Biden on migrants https://t.co/vLU6EQsgBd via @WashTimes
— Jake 🇺🇸 (@Jake_1791) November 1, 2023
While some conservative states have been channeling migrants into so-called sanctuary cities such as New York and Chicago, this alone cannot explain the scale of the increase. In previous years, arriving migrants would be taken in by nonprofit organizations and placed with relatives already residing in the U.S. However, the composition of the migrant population has changed, leaving many without a support network. Winning asylum is an arduous process, with a severely backlogged immigration court system resulting in lengthy wait times. Consequently, thousands are stranded, unable to work or find proper accommodation, and are forced to sleep in shelters or government facilities.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, President Biden has requested $1.4 billion from Congress to aid in providing shelter and services for migrants. However, the mayors, in their letter, have requested a more substantial amount of $5 billion. They argue that their cities cannot bear the financial burden alone and are already experiencing severe cuts to essential services.
Moreover, the mayors are advocating for an expedited work authorization approval process to enable migrants to find employment sooner. Currently, there are significant delays, with some applicants waiting up to six months or more. The mayors also propose expanding work authorizations to include anyone released into the U.S., allowing them to work while awaiting their immigration cases to proceed.
Lastly, the mayors are pushing for the creation of a regional migrant coordinator position, who would liaise with the federal government, nonprofits, and local officials. This role aims to improve coordination and placement of migrants in areas with available resources.
The letter, signed by Mayor Johnston and the mayors of the country’s four largest cities, highlights the urgent need for additional support. However, it remains uncertain whether Congress will provide the funding requested by President Biden, especially considering the Republican-controlled House.
Mayor Johnston remains hopeful, stating, “We think there is a real common sense path here that and that’s why we thought it was important.” The urgency of the situation demands swift action, as cities cannot sustain the strain caused by the ongoing federal crisis without significant assistance.
