Denver Mayor Doubles Down on Defense of Illegal Aliens Despite Citizen's Concerns

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston faced criticism this week after publicly stating he is “not bothered” by the influx of illegal immigrants in the city, despite growing frustration among local residents over the impact on public services, housing, and city budgets.

During a Friday interview on Colorado Public Radio’s Colorado Matters, Johnston responded to concerns about illegal immigration by defending those who enter the United States unlawfully, describing their actions as driven by “survival and desperation.”

His comments drew sharp reactions from taxpayers and community members who have voiced concerns about rising costs and city services being diverted to support individuals not lawfully present in the country.

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

When asked by co-host Ryan Warner about the frustration many Denver residents feel about undocumented migrants using public resources, Johnston said, “I’m not bothered by that.”

He explained his perspective by referencing his time as a school principal and sharing the story of a former undocumented student whose family fled cartel violence.

Johnston recounted: “I had a lot of students who had this experience…when he was three years old, when his dad was one of the people in his town who spoke out against the local cartels and the cartels came in the middle of the night and murdered his dad. And so, his mom put him in a car that morning and just drove and drove and drove until they got to Denver.”

The mayor said the student later returned to Mexico to pursue legal citizenship, then enlisted in the U.S. Army after receiving his documentation.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“I think these are the stories of families that come here, and I don’t think any of us in most of those circumstances would do anything different,” Johnston said.

In the same interview, Johnston acknowledged that Denver has redirected resources from local residents to accommodate illegal aliens.

He admitted that public recreation centers had been temporarily closed to provide services to migrant populations, raising additional concerns among taxpayers over city priorities.

Denver, like other sanctuary cities, has experienced a surge in migrant arrivals since Joe Biden took office.

City officials have repeatedly requested federal assistance, citing the burden on local services including housing, healthcare, and education.

Concerns have also grown over public safety, with multiple reports linking undocumented immigrants to criminal activity during the current administration.

Last year, reports surfaced that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had taken over apartment buildings in Colorado. Despite this, Johnston has downplayed any connection between illegal immigration and crime.

“Historically, it’s always true that we have lower levels of crime around migrants than we do among our general population,” Johnston stated.

Denver Mayor Johnson on gang crime:

“A much bigger risk is a perception that the newcomers are dangerous” pic.twitter.com/gol88Qaran

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) August 30, 2024

He argued that public perception of illegal immigrants being more prone to criminal activity is based on a “misconception.”

Johnston’s remarks have reignited debate over immigration policy at both the local and federal levels, particularly as cities like Denver struggle to balance the demands of an expanding migrant population with the needs of long-time residents.

The city’s budget has absorbed growing costs related to migrant shelter, services, and housing, with critics pointing to a lack of adequate support for Denver citizens.

The interview comes amid continued scrutiny of sanctuary city policies and their impact on public infrastructure.

While Johnston maintains that Denver should be a place of refuge, many residents continue to express concern over the long-term sustainability of those policies and their effect on local communities.

HYPOCRITE: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston blames “state law” for being unable to coordinate with ICE.

Yet when I asked him face to face if he would publicly demand that these sanctuary policies be repealed, he refused to do so.

That tells you all you need to know about these… pic.twitter.com/Zk6MOhgP0p

— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) March 5, 2025