The battle between federal immigration authorities and sanctuary cities has defined America’s border crisis debate for years. As costs mount and public safety concerns escalate, the foundation of sanctuary policies is beginning to crack in one of the nation’s most prominent refugee destinations.
For many conservative Americans, the concept of cities deliberately obstructing federal immigration enforcement has long represented a dangerous rejection of law and order. Now, reality appears to be forcing even the most dedicated sanctuary advocates to face hard truths.
That reality check has arrived in Denver, Colorado. There, skyrocketing costs and mounting pressures have produced a stunning reversal from one of the nation’s most outspoken sanctuary city defenders.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who once boldly declared he would use his police force to block federal immigration agents and was “willing to go to jail” over the matter, has now announced his administration will cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in cases involving violent criminal migrants.
Funny how quickly principles change when the bill comes due.
From Defiance To Compliance
The mayor’s dramatic shift represents more than just a policy change – it’s an admission that sanctuary idealism carries real-world consequences. Johnston had previously suggested deploying Denver police to county lines to physically prevent ICE agents from entering the city’s jurisdiction. This stance drew sharp criticism from federal authorities.
Unlike some politicians, Border Czar Tom Homan doesn’t play word games.
“There are federal statutes on the books for knowingly concealing and harboring an illegal alien away from ICE officers,” Homan warned. “There are statutes on the books about impeding federal law enforcement officers – they’re all felonies.”
Homan didn’t mince words about potential consequences.
“But, look, me and the Denver mayor, we agree on one thing,” he stated. “He’s willing to go to jail, I’m willing to put him in jail.”
Behind Johnston’s reversal lies a staggering financial burden that Denver taxpayers can no longer ignore. Since December of 2022, the Denver metro area has absorbed over 42,000 migrants from Central and South America. According to the Common Sense Institute’s latest analysis, Denver taxpayers and local organizations have spent an estimated $340 million on migrant services.
Let that sink in – cutting police funding to pay for illegal immigration. If that’s not a perfect snapshot of progressive priorities gone wrong, what is?
The fiscal impact has forced devastating choices. Johnston announced sweeping budget cuts, including an $8.4 million reduction from the city’s police department and a $2.5 million cut to the fire department – all to fund migrant services. These cuts to essential services have sparked outrage among conservative residents who argue that illegal immigration is now directly compromising public safety.
Federal Response Takes Shape
As sanctuary cities nationwide grapple with similar crises, the Trump administration isn’t waiting for more dominoes to fall. Indeed, the Department of Justice has established the Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group, which is tasked with identifying and challenging state and local laws that obstruct federal immigration initiatives.
This new enforcement mechanism carries serious weight. U.S. attorney’s offices and DOJ components will investigate “misconduct” by officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement. Prosecution will be on the table for those who cross the line.
“Now these sanctuary cities cannot assist – ok, that’s fine. They can stand aside, that’s fine, but they cannot cross that line,” Homan explained. “If they cross that line, we’ll be asking the attorney’s office to consider prosecution.”
The message is clear: the era of consequence-free sanctuary policies is ending. As Denver’s example shows, the combination of fiscal reality and federal pressure is forcing even the most dedicated sanctuary advocates to acknowledge that cooperating with immigration authorities isn’t just a legal necessity – it’s a practical one.
For conservative Americans who have long warned about the unsustainable nature of sanctuary policies, Denver’s reversal represents a vindication of their position. As more cities face similar migrant surges and budget crises, Johnston’s dramatic shift from defiance to compliance may prove to be just the beginning of sanctuary cities’ great awakening.
Key Takeaways:
- Denver taxpayers are forced to pay $340M for migrant services while police/fire budgets are slashed.
- Trump administration’s new DOJ task force puts sanctuary cities on legal notice.
- Liberal mayor’s dramatic reversal signals growing sanctuary city crisis nationwide.
- Federal enforcement chief: “They can stand aside, but they cannot cross that line.”
Sources: Daily Caller
