Screenshot / YouTube, FOX31 Denver, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

Denver taxpayers find themselves saddled with the financial responsibility of $90 million this fiscal year to address the ongoing illegal immigration crisis seeping into America's heartland from the southern border.

This latest financial revelation, disclosed by Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration, marks a significant reduction from the previously forecasted expenditure of $180 million, which had been subsequently revised down to $120 million.

The city has resorted to implementing a series of cost-saving measures in order to meet this substantial financial obligation. This includes freezing or staggering the hiring of approximately 160 vacant positions and reallocating funds from various sources, including unspent dollars from the previous fiscal year and contingency reserves, Colorado Politics reports.

Johnston unveiled the pivotal announcement on Wednesday, signaling a significant shift in Denver's response to the migrant crisis.

“We spent a lot of time advocating at the Federal level for support here,” Johnson said. “There was a Bipartisan bill to do that failed in the House, you know that story. It was clear that was not going to happen in Congress in the next 7 months, so we felt we had to take things into our own hands.”

“That's why we came up with something that provides better support for newcomers without cutting core public services,” he added.

Johnston emphasized the alignment of this approach with core American values, underscoring the city's commitment to upholding principles of fairness and compassion.

Libs of TikTok weighed in on the news, and specifically the “newcomers” comment, writing, “Democrats made Denver a sanctuary city in 2017. Democrats control Colorado and passed progressive immigration policies in 2021.”

This move extends support to migrants for a duration of six months, albeit with only about 1,000 spaces available.

The mayor's decision comes on the heels of failed attempts to secure federal aid and significant budgetary cuts, as Denver grappled with the influx of nearly 41,000 migrants since the conclusion of 2022.

Denver's revised strategy stands in stark contrast to the shelter-centric approaches adopted by cities such as Chicago and New York City over the past year. Denver’s innovative program will provide asylum seekers with accommodation in apartments for up to six months, unlike its counterparts.

It will also offer comprehensive support, including job training, skill development, opportunities for certifications, unpaid work experience, food assistance, and assistance with asylum applications.

The overarching objective of Denver's program is to serve as a transitional phase, providing migrants with intensive preparation while awaiting the issuance of work permits, as mandated by federal law.

Cities like New York City and Chicago, in contrast, have adopted shorter stays in their shelter systems. New York City, for instance, guarantees most adult migrants only 30 days in its shelter system, while Chicago enforces a 60-day limit. However, exemptions for families with school-going children have limited the efficacy of these restrictions.

Denver and other Democratic-led cities notably received no federal funding to address the migrant influx, despite reaching out to the Biden administration for assistance.

Johnston expressed optimism that Denver's innovative approach could serve as a blueprint for other cities grappling with similar challenges. He underscored the importance of sharing best practices and collaborating to address the needs of migrants effectively.