A small Colorado town has chosen to remain a non-sanctuary city, refusing to accept immigrant relocations in a move that is spreading around the state.
Monument Says No
After putting it to vote, the town of Monument, Colorado, unanimously voted to retain its status as a non-sanctuary city, while the state capital, Denver, has found itself overwhelmed by immigrant numbers.
A Resolution is Considered
On Tuesday, the city council gathered together to consider a resolution concerning the ongoing influx of migrants into the state and the possibility of accepting undocumented people into the Monument community.
Sanctuary City Status Rejected
But the proposal was roundly rejected, with council members voting 7-0 to remain a non-sanctuary city.
The Mayor Speaks
Monument Mayor Mitch LaKind took to social media to announce the decision, writing that the council was “aligned with El Paso County and Colorado Springs in that we will not support the actions taken by Denver Mayor.”
Accusations Fly
He also accused Denver Mayor Mike Johnston of promoting illegal immigration in the same post, before appearing on Fox and Friends First on Wednesday to discuss the council decision in further detail.
Not Enough Resources Here
LaKind emphasized that Monument, which has a population of less than 12000 people, is not equipped to accept hundreds, let alone thousands, of immigrants from Denver.
“We Will Not Be Accepting”
“The goal is to make sure that Denver knows that we will not be accepting any busloads of migrants into our community,” he explained. “The main reason is that we don’t have a budget that matches theirs.”
No Tax-Payer Funds Available
He also implied that the city of Denver and its leaders needed to take responsibility for their decision to take people in, saying that Monument “won’t utilize taxpayer funds for the support of what they’ve decided to take on themselves as a self-declared sanctuary city.”
40,000 Migrants
Between January 2023 and January 2024, Denver, which has sanctuary city status, received close to 40,000 illegal immigrants via the U.S.-Mexico border.
A Sanctuary Struggle
The state capital, which received sanctuary city status and has a population of 710,000 people, has struggled to provide adequate shelter and resources for the staggering migrant population.
“Our City is Struggling”
“Our city is really struggling,” Mayor Johnston told CNN in late January. Earlier this month, a limit had to be placed on how long migrant families could stay in city shelters
$100 Million Needed
Johnston has reported that an estimated $100 million will be needed to support migrant numbers fully, including housing, schooling, and healthcare, throughout 2024.
Criticisms for Johnston
But many people, including LaKind, have harshly criticized Johnston for diverting city funds and resources toward illegal immigrants rather than Denver residents.
Turned Around
LaKind has also made it clear that if busloads of migrants began arriving in Monument as they have arrived in Denver, Chicago, New York, and other cities, they would be transported back.
Picked Up and Brought Out
“The town administration and police force will work with federal agencies to have them picked up and brought to wherever they would need to be held,” he said.
Record-High Numbers
He also took shots at President Biden, who has also come under national fire for the record-high illegal immigration rates that have rocked the southern border since his ascendency to the White House in 2020.
“He Has the Power”
He claimed that the president specifically “has the power” to return illegal immigrants to their home countries but has “chosen not to.” “He’s had the power all along,” LaKind said.
“No Room in Monument”
“There is no room in Monument for them,” he continued, referring to migrants arriving in the state. “I’d like to see the President announce that he is shutting the border.”
One of Many
Monument is not the only town or municipality to reject migrant resettlements from Denver. Mesa County, which is 250 miles southeast of Denver, also passed a resolution to reject sanctuary city status and migrant relocations.
More Join In
Late last year, the commissioners of Douglas County passed a similar resolution, as did El Paso County last month.
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