(NewsNation) — A small Colorado town unanimously voted to declare itself not a sanctuary city as the capital city of Denver faces a surge of migrants being bused in.
Mitch LaKind, the mayor of Monument, Colorado, joined “NewsNation Now” to discuss the vote, saying his city’s budget doesn’t have space to support migrants.
“There is no money set aside for the kind of issues that Denver is experiencing. It was never brought up during our budget workshops. So sticking to the fiduciary obligation we have towards our residents, it does not surprise me that we were all in agreement on how our money was going to be spent,” LaKind told NewsNation.
Earlier this month, Denver’s mayor said the city was reaching a breaking point with migrant arrivals as officials continued urging the federal government to expedite work permits for migrants.
LaKind hopes the town’s decision helps stem the flow of migrants into Denver and nearby Canyon City.
“Our decision is not about discrimination or being anti-immigrant. It is about upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of our residents and making sure that our taxpayer dollars are being spent effectively,” LaKind said.
In Denver, Mayor Mike Johnston is reallocating $10 million from the contingency fund and $15 million from a business remodel fund, strategically managing the city’s budget by keeping positions vacant and conducting a thorough review of contracts and programs. These measures aim to lessen the impact on crucial services, including DMV offices and recreation centers.