Friends and neighbors-

Last week I wrote a newsletter demonstrating just two ways that Minnesota Democrats have prioritized illegal immigrants.

There was a troubling story in the newspaper the other day noting that Minnesota is a top destination for Migrants who have accepted free tickets out of New York.

Over the past two years, nearly 1,200 migrants have taken flights to Minnesota, ranking us as the 5th most popular destination. Many of the migrants heading to Minnesota are from Ecuador. About half of the nearly 500 families in Hennepin County's shelters now are recent arrivals, causing the system to operate at over 400% of normal capacity.

The total number of Ecuadorians with pending immigration cases in Minnesota has also jumped dramatically in the past couple of years – meaning an increasing strain on Minnesota's immigration court.

The program to provide free plane tickets to migrants is part of New York City's program to alleviate strain on its shelter system, which has been overwhelmed by a record influx of migrants in the last 20 months.

But New York’s relief comes at Minnesota’s expense. As Minnesota's shelter system and social services struggle to accommodate the influx, this practice is proving increasingly harmful to Minnesota taxpayers forced to foot the bill and to the thousands of struggling and homeless Minnesotans who are now competing with illegal immigrants for shelter space this winter.

With shelters overflowing and costs soaring, Minnesota must push back against becoming a release valve for other states. It is simply not sustainable.