House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has taken a firm stance against the concept of “Sanctuary Cities,” asserting that these cities should not expect federal aid while defying national immigration laws. The GOP leader has highlighted this point amid negotiations over the end-of-year federal budget, with the Democratic Party requesting substantial funds to support the cities’ costs associated with housing migrants.
In a revealing conversation with The New York Post, Johnson emphasized the incongruity of cities like New York retaining their sanctuary status while simultaneously appealing for federal assistance. This request follows President Joe Biden’s proposal for $1.4 billion in federal aid to states and cities for migrant care. This figure falls short of the $5 billion called for by Mayor Eric Adams and other mayors of major cities.
NEW: Speaker Mike Johnson to NYC: Dump ‘sanctuary’ policies to get federal funding.
Seems like a step in the right direction.
“The idea that you would maintain a sanctuary city status and then cry out to the federal government for assistance in what you’ve done is, to me,… pic.twitter.com/GogqfMGbqt
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) November 10, 2023
Johnson’s argument centers on the principle that sanctuary policies, which limit local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities, contribute to a breakdown in the enforcement of immigration laws. These policies, according to Johnson, lead to safe havens for illegal migrants, contributing to crime and economic disadvantages for American citizens by driving down wages and inflating living costs.
Moreover, Johnson has been vocally critical of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, whom he holds responsible for a perceived mismanagement of border control, directly linking policy decisions to issues such as drug overdoses, human trafficking, and the empowerment of cartels. The Speaker’s sentiments are echoed by recent polls indicating immigration as a top concern among Republican voters and support for a border wall among swing state constituents.
As the debate over immigration policy intensifies, Johnson and his GOP colleagues are pushing forward with the H.R. 2 immigration stabilization bill. This legislation seeks to address the situation by implementing stricter immigration controls. The proposal has gained some GOP traction in the Senate due to popular demand from House Republicans.
The issue of sanctuary city policies stands as a contentious point of negotiation between the two parties. Democrats, while opposing significant policy shifts, are aware of the potential political fallout that ongoing immigration challenges pose, even in traditionally Democratic strongholds.
The GOP’s efforts to bring an end to sanctuary city policies align with a broader conservative viewpoint, which argues for the upholding of federal immigration laws and the protection of American workers and communities. As the deadline for government funding approaches, this subject remains a critical element of the ongoing discourse on national immigration reform.
