Residents across Colorado are concerned that granting sanctuary status in their hometown is required before the overflow of migrants from Denver pours into their city limits, and yet no such status is needed.
Historically, sanctuary status means local police won’t turn over illegal immigrants jailed for crimes to federal immigration officers for deportation.
It’s true that protecting illegal immigrants from deportation has branded sanctuary cities as welcoming to border crossers, which is why Denver has so many migrants under the Biden regime and is crying about the cost of it all.
And it’s that cost and burden on health care facilities and schools that has residents across Colorado concerned — or as Kyle Clark of 9News calls them, anti-migrants.
As more and more city and county officials debate how to deal with the anticipated spread of Denver’s migrant crisis, it’s not really the sanctuary label that counts, it’s whether taxpayers are going to get hit with a huge bill for it all, like Denver.
The City of Aurora appears keenly aware of the backlash that’s unfolding in Lakewood as those city officials play word games with voters.
Lakewood will not be designated as a sanctuary city, although the county already carries the status, city council members promise.
The city says they just want a partnership with Denver to help find volunteers in Lakewood to help house migrants.
It all sounded so innocent until Aurora cut through the bullshit and asked just how much this temporary housing gig is going to cost taxpayers.
A resolution under consideration would tell special interest groups and nonprofits to stop relocating migrants in Aurora in temporary spaces until they sign an agreement with the city over who pays for costs and other needed services of migrants.
Just ask Denver about the additional costs beyond housing and food, like health care, and education.
From the Denver Gazette:
A resolution under consideration also states the city will “not allocate public funds, services, or staff resources for migrant support,” expressing worries that bringing immigrants into the city would result in “undue financial hardship” and an increase in demand for services.
The resolution — which offers a sharp break from Denver — effectively reiterates Aurora’s stance since 2017 that it is not a “sanctuary city” but also signals that it won’t adopt its neighboring city’s more “welcoming” position toward the immigrants.
See Lakewood? That’s how it’s done.
The measure is sponsored by Aurora Councilmembers Danielle Jurinsky and Steve Sundberg, who say it sends a clear message Aurora is prioritizing spending on residents, also known as the taxpayers who fund the city’s budget.