NYC, DC sanctuary city policies come back to haunt them amid feud with Texas, Arizona

As New York City and Washington D.C. feud with the governors of Texas and Arizona over the border states’ busing of migrants to their cities, their own sanctuary city policies are the subject of a reignited debate — as the Republican governors cite the liberal policies as justification for the buses.

Thousands of migrants have been sent from Texas and Arizona to the two Democratic-run cities, both of which have repeatedly proclaimed and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting illegal immigrants from deportation and making their states welcoming havens.

“Sanctuary” jurisdictions refer to cities or states that restrict local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration agencies. Such cities and states will often also move to abolish any distinction between legal and illegal immigration. 

After the 2016 election, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reaffirmed the city’s status, saying “we celebrate our diversity and respect all DC residents no matter their immigration status.”

NYC NAMED ‘WORST’ SANCTUARY CITY AMID BATTLE WITH TEXAS ON MIGRANT BUSING

Adams said in 2019: “To anyone in the world fleeing hatred and oppression, the ultimate city of immigrants wants you to remember: you’re ALWAYS welcome here.”

“‘We should protect our immigrants.’ Period,” he tweeted in 2021 when campaigning. “Yes, New York City will remain a sanctuary city under an Adams administration.”

But Texas and Arizona began sending buses of migrants to Washington D.C. this Spring, and Texas has recently started sending buses to New York City as well. A waiver form given to migrants says that New York City “has been designated as a sanctuary city by its City Council, and is providing shelter and food to migrants who have entered the country.”

While the numbers being sent, just over 10,000 so far, are dwarfed by those encountered at the border, which…