Presiding commissioners from Clay and Platte County issued a joint statement urging Mayor Quinton Lucas to retract his proposal to attract migrants for employment in Kansas City.
Mayor Lucas’s Proposal and Response
Mayor Lucas shared his openness to bringing migrants from other cities to work in Kansas City, citing collaboration with mayors from Denver and New York City.
In defense of his plan, Mayor Lucas emphasized the importance of welcoming individuals who are lawfully present in the United States and have obtained work permits.
Concerns Over Sanctuary City Status
Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte and Platte County Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker, both Republicans, raised concerns that Mayor Lucas’s proposal could violate state sanctuary city laws, potentially jeopardizing state funding.
Their sentiments echo those expressed by Republican Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, who emphasized that cities embracing sanctuary status should not receive state resources.
Legal and Political Backlash
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey criticized Mayor Lucas’s initiative, warning of legal consequences for businesses participating in the program. Both Bailey and Kehoe, who are Republicans, face opponents in their respective primaries.
City Council Response
Northland City Councilman Nathan Willet introduced a resolution affirming the city’s stance against becoming a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants, which is set for review by the city’s Special Committee for Legal Review.
As political and legal debates unfold, the future of Mayor Lucas’s migrant work plan remains uncertain.
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