Democratic Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is standing firm against President-elect Trump’s proposed immigration policies. He compared the situation to the infamous Tiananmen Square incident in China, saying that Denver residents would resist federal agents if they tried to enforce mass migrant deportations.
Johnston made it clear that Denver is committed to protecting illegal migrants and maintaining its status as a sanctuary city. He stated in an interview with the Denverite that the city would not be bullied into changing its values. He even mentioned the possibility of a “Tiananmen Square moment” if federal immigration officials attempted to carry out mass deportations, with thousands of Denver residents coming out to resist.
This stance by Mayor Johnston is part of a larger trend among state and local officials who are pushing back against President-elect Trump’s immigration policies. In Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker has vowed to uphold sanctuary status, declaring that any attempt to deport migrants would have to go through him first. In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass has helped pass local ordinances limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, emphasizing the importance of protecting immigrant communities.
President-elect Trump has made it clear that he plans to ramp up deportation efforts as soon as he takes office, even suggesting the use of the military to make it happen. His appointment of Tom Homan as “border czar” further solidifies his commitment to closing the border and cracking down on illegal immigration.
In the face of these threats, Mayor Johnston and other officials are standing their ground to protect their immigrant communities. They believe that sanctuary policies not only make their cities stronger but also reflect their values as inclusive and welcoming places for all residents. The clash between local and federal authorities on immigration policy is likely to continue as the new administration takes office.
