That's why a solution will need to come from the left, even though it will cut against the shift in Democratic public opinion over the past decade in the direction of greater immigration liberalization.
I'm willing to be wrong about this, but my reaction to Gargamel's move to dump refugees in sanctuary cities was "...okay."
Sanctuary cities are liberal. Because they are cities, they already have overloaded social services... and while historically any tax increases have been regressive sales or sin taxes, there are plenty of cities with income tax and your average houseless millennial isn't going to squeak too loudly about a property tax increase.
Property taxes and income taxes invariably have the effect of driving down property values and forcing the wealthy out of any community. This tends to push the wealthier into satellite communities... but a liberal state and a liberal city could (in theory) reach a tax-swap structure for any community willing to take on "sanctuary city" status.
If shrinking communities are a problem for demographers and tax rolls, give 'em a boost if they declare themselves "sanctuary cities." Yeah - the Gas'n'Sip is run by Guatemalans but at least it isn't empty.
How terrible an idea is this? What am I missing?
I'm also like, "Yeah... so what? That is exactly why we ARE a sanctuary city: to provide asylum seekers with a safe haven for them to live in, where we respect the founding principles of this country."
Practically, I wonder where the asylum seekers would live. Rent is insanely expensive, as is gas and food. They are not allowed to work while they are here, so they have to sit in an $1800/month apartment for more than THREE YEARS until their hearing comes up.
I'm not sure how big your pockets are, but I'm not sure where I would carry $65,000 (for rent ALONE) on my person, as I walked across a border leaving my war-torn country.
What needs to happen is a "provisional identity card" needs to be issued, so these people can get jobs, and get to work, and begin paying taxes the day they arrive. Then it doesn't matter which city they go to... they become a net-benefit to the community on day 1. (At least they are far more valuable than the 3-of-4 people in high school or college who DON'T have jobs.)
If you are an immigrant, you get here with little. You need clothing. Transportation. Housing. Food. Other services. All of these are provided by local businesses and individuals, who make money off providing the services.
Plus, immigrants are one of the least-offending demographics in the American population. If you have FINALLY made it to America, gotten a job, and are building a life for yourself, you don't go and jeopardize that by doing Illegal Shit.
If the housing situation could get worked out, then a provisional ID for immigrants who have applied for permanent status would be a huge benefit to the local community and economy.
(Just had a friend from India go through this whole thing. It's a total shitshow.)