Democratic-Led Cities Facilitate the Relocation of Migrants as Resources Deplete

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In the wake of weary migrants arriving in Denver via buses from the U.S.-Mexico border city of El Paso, Texas, officials are presenting them with two choices: temporary shelter or transportation to other destinations. Recent city data reveals that nearly half of the 27,000 migrants who have arrived in Denver since November 2022 have opted for bus, plane, or train tickets to various U.S. cities. This trend extends to New York and Illinois, where taxpayer funds are being utilized for tickets, leading to a redistribution of migrants within the interior of the United States. These individuals require shelter, sustenance, and medical support as they await asylum case determinations, which can span several years.

The transfer of migrants has gained momentum, especially since Republican governors in Texas and Florida initiated the chartering of buses and planes to Democratic-led cities—a move some critics dismissed as political maneuvers. Over a year later, some of these cities, grappling with diminishing resources, are eager to assist migrants in transitioning to their ultimate destinations.

These efforts underscore the mounting pressures faced by cities as an increasing number of migrants from around the world converge at the U.S. southern border, often seeking refuge from economic hardships. The number of illegal border crossings exceeded 2 million during the government’s fiscal year that concluded on September 30, marking the second-highest figure on record.

With many migrants currently residing in shelters or exposed to the elements on the streets, the next phase of the challenge is facilitating their reunification with family members, friends, or legal proceedings, as noted by Mario Russell, the director at the Center for Migration Studies of New York. This complex task has, to a certain extent, been unexpectedly thrust upon interior cities without ample preparation or foresight at any level.

In Denver alone, city funds to the tune of at least $4.3 million have been allocated to transport migrants to other U.S. cities, thereby freeing up shelter accommodations for incoming arrivals while augmenting the numbers in other Democratic-led cities like Chicago and New York, which are grappling with the responsibility of housing primarily Venezuelan asylum-seekers.

Although data from New York was not yet available, the city has initiated a program offering one-way plane tickets to destinations across the globe. Meanwhile, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago has used state resources to purchase tickets for over 2,500 migrants who have relatives, acquaintances, or sponsors elsewhere, according to Chief of Staff Mary Krinock.

Cities maintain that they procure tickets exclusively for migrants who express a desire to travel and do not coerce individuals into departing. In contrast, Texas and Florida have chartered buses and planes to transport migrants exclusively to select cities, emphasizing the voluntary nature of this arrangement.

Jon Ewing of Denver Human Service stated, “The people who are desperate, who are coming here for shelter and assistance, we’re not going to turn those people away. But at the same time, we have to make it very clear to them that there’s only so much we can do.”

Advocates working with migrants assert that many choose Denver as a stopover on their journey to other cities due to its relative proximity to the border, reputation for hospitality, and cost-effective bus fares. However, charitable organizations are feeling the strain, particularly as the weather turns colder, leaving migrants with no choice but to sleep in tent encampments.

Yoli Casas, the executive director of Vive Wellness, which supports new migrants in Denver, expressed the heartbreaking reality: “It breaks my heart. It is like we have so many children and little ones that we know we can’t even help. There’s just no more room. There’s no more funding. There’s no nothing. We’re not prepared.”

Denver has acquired nearly 3,000 tickets to Chicago and 2,300 to New York, constituting nearly half of the more than 12,000 tickets procured for migrants since November 2022. The majority of these tickets are for bus journeys, but Denver has also acquired approximately 340 flight tickets and 200 train tickets.

Around 1,000 tickets were destined for Texas and Florida, whose governors have orchestrated the transportation of migrants via chartered buses and planes to Democratic-led “sanctuary cities” known for limiting their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Mario Russell of the Center for Migration Studies emphasized the necessity of enhanced communication among cities to ensure that migrants are directed to the most suitable destinations rather than cycling through various cities repeatedly, an approach that ultimately benefits no one.

Tensions flared between political leaders in January when Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis chartered buses to transport migrants to Chicago. Then-Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams co-authored a letter urging Polis to desist, contending that “overburdening other cities is not the solution.”

Cities such as Denver, New York, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles have recently joined forces, with their mayors visiting Washington, D.C., to confer with President Joe Biden and request additional assistance.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who assumed office in May, conveyed a similar message regarding the transportation of migrants from El Paso to Denver, emphasizing that the two cities have been in contact. He stated, “They were overwhelmed. We certainly didn’t encourage it, but we do understand it.”

It is noteworthy that El Paso’s mayor is a Democrat, and the city’s practice of chartering buses for migrants is distinct from Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s initiative, which has transported over 50,000 migrants to Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver, and Los Angeles since August 2022 to spotlight President Biden’s border policies.

According to Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris, the governor is acting “to provide relief to our overwhelmed border towns.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis garnered attention last year by flying migrants from San Antonio to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. This year, state legislators allocated $12 million in funding for Florida’s migrant relocation program.

In Denver, the millions expended on migrant transportation have curbed shelter expenditures, which had surged to over $31 million, primarily funded through federal assistance with state support. However, the city has recently instituted bed limits in shelters. Migrants without children are permitted two weeks in city-run shelters, while families can stay for more than five weeks. The city has also distributed flyers in border towns, cautioning migrants about the costly housing and lack of shelter availability in the Rocky Mountain metropolis.

In Massachusetts, Democratic Governor Maura Healey has established a threshold of 7,500 families in emergency shelters. New York City and Chicago have also imposed restrictions on the duration of migrants’ stays in shelters.

Several members of the Chicago City Council are contemplating gauging voter support for repealing an ordinance that upholds “sanctuary city” status by prohibiting municipal employees from inquiring about immigration status, preventing law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration authorities, and ensuring that city services are accessible to all. Alderman Anthony Beale, a proponent of the ballot measure, pointed out the influx of migrants from Democratic cities like Denver, California, and Los Angeles to Chicago, questioning the city’s capacity to accommodate additional arrivals. He stated, “We have to draw the line somewhere.”

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Migration Challenges

More about Migration Challenges

• Migration Challenges in Democratic Cities
• Resource Allocation for Migrants
• Political Dynamics in Migrant Relocation
• Republican Governors’ Role in Migrant Transportation
• Federal Efforts to Address Migration Crisis
• Managing Shelter Accommodations in Denver
• Chicago City Council’s Perspective on Migration