WASHINGTON – President Biden did not attend Thursday’s White House meeting with major city mayors seeking $5 billion to fund local services for immigrants released at the US-Mexico border.
White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and senior adviser Tom Perez instead met with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, both Democrats.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was also scheduled to attend the 9 a.m. meeting and posted a video of himself on a flight to DC — before abruptly canceling and returning to New York as the FBI raided the Brooklyn home of campaign fundraiser Brianna Suggs.
It was unclear whether representatives for Adams or his staff attended the meeting, which followed reprimands from leaders of America’s five largest cities.
The 80-year-old president received an intelligence briefing at 10 a.m. at the White House, according to his public schedule, which does not reflect other morning obligations.
President Biden chose not to attend Thursday’s White House meeting with major city mayors on the immigrant crisis. AFP via Getty Images The mayor is seeking $5 billion to fund local services for immigrants released at the US-Mexico border.ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Adams, Johnson, Johnston, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner wrote to Biden on October 28 to request a meeting.
“In order to address this crisis without further delay, we request an immediate meeting with you to discuss directly how we can work with your administration to prevent large numbers of additional asylum seekers from being brought into our city without coordination, support or resources. ,” the mayor wrote.
“We are requesting an appropriation of $5 billion to cover the expenses our city has incurred and to continue to serve the growing number of people arriving in our community.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday that “I can’t speak to the $5 billion” the mayor is seeking, but said the Biden administration wants additional funds approved by Congress.
The mayor has argued that more aid is needed to help with the migrant crisis.ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock July rally calls on Biden to solve New York City’s migrant crisis.Lev Radin/Sipa USA
It’s unclear why Biden chose not to meet with the mayor who blames his handling of immigration. However, he also pulled out of an Aug. 30 White House meeting with New York Governor Kathy Hochul after she also criticized the federal response.
The White House requested on October 20 that Congress provide $1.4 billion to state and local governments for “shelter and services for immigrants released from DHS custody.”
The White House on October 20 asked Congress to provide $1.4 billion to state and local governments for the crisis.ZUMAPRESS.com
But the mayor argued that more was needed to tackle the record-breaking number of migrants illegally crossing the border before awaiting asylum decisions inside the US. Asylum seekers can get work permits after 180 days, but local officials have requested faster approval.
“Right now, Denver is spending nearly $2 million a week on shelters, New York City has exceeded $1.7 billion in spending and Chicago has spent over $320 million,” the group wrote to Biden. “Our city needs additional resources far beyond the amount proposed to properly care for asylum seekers entering our community.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
