Mayors of 5 big cities press Biden for meeting on migrants

Mayors of five large American cities are pressing President Biden for a meeting on migrants coming into their cities.

The mayors of Denver, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and New York City told Biden in a letter obtained by The Associated Press that they require federal help in handling an influx of migrants in their cities. The mayors argued they have not received enough help, resources or coordination from the Biden administration. 

The president has requested $1.4 billion from Congress to help at the state and local level in supplying shelter and services for migrants, but the mayors say that is not enough. In their letter, they asked for $5 billion, according to the AP. 

“While we are greatly appreciative of the additional federal funding proposed, our city budgets and local taxpayers continue to bear the brunt of this ongoing federal crisis,” the letter reportedly says. “Cities have historically absorbed and integrated new migrants with success.”

Last week, a poll found that 58 percent of New York state voters agreed with New York City Mayor Eric Adams’s (D) recent statement that the surge of migrants entering the city “will destroy it.” The Siena College poll found only 32 percent of New York state voters saying they disagreed with his statement. 

The president has struggled to navigate the issue of immigration, facing recent scrutiny from both sides of the aisle over his handling of the current situation. The White House announced last month that it would build portions of border wall in Texas despite Biden’s previous words against it.

Deputy press secretary Emilie Simons, when asked about the request, told reporters that the White House is “committed to supporting local jurisdictions that are hosting migrants that have recently arrived into the country.” She reiterated that the White House asked Congress in its budget request for nearly $1.4 billion in additional grant funding to support local communities and build on improvements the Department of Homeland Security has made in processing work permits.

The Associated Press contributed.