Democrats Ordered To Take Border Seriously?
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio recently shared his views on the issue of “sanctuary cities,” acknowledging that while the underlying principles of these policies are rooted in compassion, he believes Democrats must recognize that voters are demanding stronger border security, especially after the failures of the Biden administration in handling immigration.
In a discussion on NewsNation Now, de Blasio expressed concern that the Democrats were out of touch with the electorate, particularly in light of the rising popularity of former President Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 election cycle. He praised President Biden for his achievements but questioned his handling of the immigration crisis. “If the president made a significant change in 2024 to address the chaos at the border, why didn’t he take action sooner?” de Blasio asked, highlighting the delayed response to a problem that has persisted for years.
De Blasio urged his fellow Democrats to adopt a more practical stance on immigration reform. He emphasized the need for order and security, stating, “Democrats need to be clear: we believe in a secure border, and we believe in a system that makes sense.” He further stressed the necessity of comprehensive immigration reform, while also acknowledging that Republicans have often impeded such efforts.
De Blasio’s tenure as mayor was marked by support for sanctuary city policies, which offered protection to law-abiding migrants. He defended these policies, arguing that asking law enforcement to inquire about immigration status could undermine trust between communities and police. “The NYPD’s position for decades was that questioning documentation status could break the bond with the community, discouraging people from reporting crimes or coming forward as witnesses,” he said.
However, de Blasio also acknowledged the growing pressure on sanctuary cities like New York, Chicago, and Denver to cooperate more closely with federal immigration authorities. As the debate over immigration intensifies, it’s clear that both parties will have to find common ground to address the issues at the border while balancing humanitarian concerns.
