Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey threatened legal action against Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas after the Democratic leader invited migrants from sanctuary cities to live and work in the Midwest state.
In a letter released Thursday, Bailey, a Republican, accused Lucas of offering an “open invitation for illegal aliens to come to Missouri” and claimed Lucas’s comments welcoming workers were “wildly irresponsible.”
“Make no mistake, my office will do everything in its power to take legal action against any person or entity found to be in violation of these statutes,” Bailey said, referring to a state law that makes it a felony to transport people who are in the country illegally.
Bailey’s letter prompted pushback from state Democrats who accused him of politicizing immigration in an effort to bolster support for his reelection campaign. The attorney general is facing a tough primary challenge in August, and Republicans have made immigration a key concern in the election.
On Tuesday, Lucas posted on social media that, “All are welcome in Kansas City.”
He linked to an article in which he said the local economy would benefit from workers seeking asylum or other legal status in the U.S. but who are stuck in crowded shelters in cities such as New York, awaiting work permits or other documentation.
The mayor issued a follow-up Wednesday, stating he was only talking about immigrants who were legally allowed to work.
“Immigration is a tough, but important issue, even when discussing, as I am, persons who are lawfully present, with lawful work permits, and the lawful ability to come to our community,” he said.
Bailey also took issue with Lucas’s clarification, stating that it ignored the underlying issue of the federal government’s handling of immigration.
State Rep. Peter Merideth, a St. Louis Democrat, called Bailey’s letter a “hateful political stunt” and “pure political garbage.”
Despite the motivation, Lucas’s invitation could quickly sour.
In several cities across the country, Democratic mayors have rolled out the welcome wagon for asylum-seekers only to watch it backfire.
In Denver, for example, the mayor and his predecessor made public pledges that no one would be turned away, but the city has had to make cuts to the police and fire departments to free up funds to house, clothe, feed, and school undocumented migrants who have arrived by the thousands.
In New York, Mayor Eric Adams was able to convince the governor to commit $2.4 billion to cover the cost of caring for migrants who were bused to the city, only to have to return to Albany in February and ask for even more money.
Chicago City Council members approved an additional $70 million in its continuing effort to help migrants Friday. The 30-18 vote came after more than an hour of heated comments.
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Budget Committee Chairman Jason Ervin acknowledged the deep division the migrant crisis has caused not only within the council but also with the public.
“Yes, this is a challenge,” Ervin said. “Do we want to spend this money like this right now? Of course not, but then again, we have an obligation and we have a responsibility to move this ball forward.”
