Denver Cuts Police Funding For Illegal Migrant Support
Denver has declared significant budget cuts to its police and fire departments to allocate funds toward housing and services for illegal migrants. Mayor Mike Johnston (D) confirmed an $8.4 million cut from the police budget and a $2.5 million decrease in fire department funding. The funds are being reallocated to the city’s $89.9 million migrant aid program.
Denver was the top American city for migrant arrivals per capita in 2023, bringing in more than 40,000 illegals. Mayor Johnston described the budget reallocation as necessary for maintaining Denver’s sanctuary city status.
The funding reallocation includes significant investments in housing, medical services, and educational programs for migrants. “We are providing newcomers with the dignity and support they deserve while maintaining our city’s financial health,” said Johnston. The mayor said that even though their budgets are being slashed, the city will continue recruiting new police officers and firefighters. Johnson claims the loss of spending will be offset by “adjustments” to training facilities and payment structures.
Denver Set to Defund Police, Firefighters to Pay for Illegal Aliens
Via Ken McIntyre:https://t.co/lZdWDyMRw6
— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) April 12, 2024
The deep cuts are not just affecting city police and fire protection. The Sheriff’s Department, Public Health and Environment, Public Safety, and Transportation and Infrastructure are also set to see their budgets slashed so that illegal migrant benefits can keep churning along.
Denver’s decision to reallocate funds from essential services like police and fire departments to support migrants raises critical questions about public safety and community resources. Republicans and many independents are now arguing that cutting the budgets for emergency services will lead to cascading negative effects. That will be especially true as the growing population of illegal migrants will only lead to great demand for those services. Analysts are already warning that the surge in Denver’s migrant population is not sustainable at current levels of funding.
Leftists praise the council for taking pride in being a “sanctuary city,” even with all the issues that entails. Progressives never cease to heap praise on increased spending on “integrating” illegal migrants by providing them welfare payments and in-kind services at taxpayer expense. Meanwhile, law-abiding U.S. citizens bear the direct costs of leftist support for open borders and defunding the police.