August 19, 2024 • 17 mins
In this episode, Lisa delves into the impact of illegal immigration under the Biden administration, focusing on Springfield, Ohio. Mayor Rob Rue discusses the significant influx of illegal immigrants in his city, which has strained local resources such as public safety, health services, and education. He highlights the challenges posed by the rapid demographic changes and the community's concerns. Mayor Rue also emphasizes the need for federal action to support smaller cities like Springfield, which are struggling to cope with the increased demand for services due to federal immigration policies. The Truth with Lisa Boothe is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Monday & Thursday.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Well, we've all seen an unprecedented wave of illegal immigration
under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for that matter.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
She is the borders are after all, it was pretty clear.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
When Joe Biden took office that he was going to
handle the southern border differently than Donald Trump. And by
a handle differently, I mean open borders. That's basically what
we've seen. At the very least, over ten million legal
immigrants have made their way into the country under Joe Biden.
Along with that has come crime has come, with terrorists
(00:35):
entering the country as well. We also know that a
record number of those in the terror watch lists have
been found at the southern border under this administration as well.
But more importantly, we know that this isn't just a
crisis for border states and border towns and border cities.
I mean this has now impacted the rest of the
country as well. I mean we've seen even places like
(00:55):
New York City, with the population of millions, a sanctuary
city where someone like you know, Mayor Adams previously said, hey,
you know, everyone come here. You know, we're open door
policy to illegal immigrants, now changing his tune. I mean
he said not too long ago that never in his
life has he seen a problem that he didn't see
an ending to and that this issue will destroy New
(01:16):
York City. So what about some of these smaller towns
that have been impacted by illegal aliens coming. We're going
to have robrew the mayor Springfield, Ohio, on the show
to talk about what's happening in his city. They're only
an estimated population of almost sixty thousand, yet they have
seen anywhere from twelve thousand to fifteen thousand illegal aliens
(01:39):
come to the city of springfielde Ohio.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
So what kind of impact does that have?
Speaker 1 (01:45):
How does this city with such a small population brace
for that kind of impact? You know, how have they
had to reallocate resources?
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Is that even sustainable? What do they do?
Speaker 1 (01:55):
And gives you kind of a broader perspective of maybe
what's happening elsewhere as well. So stay tuned for Robbero,
mayor of Springfield, Ohio. Well, Mayor ru it's great to
have you on the show. I appreciate you making the time.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
We thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
So what's happening in your city is important because you know,
so many cities across the country are impacted by it.
So you have been a population close to sixty thousand,
Yet you've had an estimated maybe over ten thousand and
more illegal aliens come to your city walk us through.
You know what kind of impact has that had on Springfield, Ohio?
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Well, it's mid significant. I'll clarify a couple of things
just to you know, be fair. I'll speak the same
message I do. But we're probably seeing twelve to fifteen
thousand these folks are coming across the border. You know,
our rapid population increase that we've had is stressing our
city services. And it's due to federal immigration and border policies.
You know, whether they're illegal or not, they're here under
(02:58):
the current administration that has caused us problem. You know,
I just want to make that clear. You know, I understand.
You know, it's just very easy for somebody to come
across with no accountability, no funds whatsoever and stress cities
like ours.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
You know, are they largely Haitian or where have you
noticed that they're they're coming from the.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Probably in the last recent years, probably the last three years,
we've noticed a larger amount of Haitian individuals in our city.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
And so if you're you said fifty eight population of
fifty eight thousand, but you've had twelve thousand to fifteen
thousand come into your city.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
I mean that that is huge.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
I mean that's a substantial change to the dynamics of
the city.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Yeah, if you're looking at a budgeted city of sixty thousand,
let's say, and with a safety four strength of about
two hundred and fifty to two hundred and sixty, and
then you add fifteen twelve to fifteen thousand people to
that population, that stresses everybody. And then let's add the
language barriers, let's add the general care that's needed. You know,
these folks have traveled a long way, uh to come
(04:01):
come across into the United States, and uh, it is
it is multiple strains and uh, you know the thing
that we're seeing also is just that, you know, the
folks that live in the Midwest need to have a car,
and so folks coming here from across the border may
not know how to drive or understand their driving customs,
and that's causing significant pain and strain as well.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Yeah, what are you hearing from constituents, because you know,
I imagine that you know that kind of changed so quickly
in you know, a city of that many people. I mean,
I assume you're you're hearing a lot from constituents, you know,
kind of what's what's the feedback?
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Then people are people are concerned, they're concerned about they
feel overwhelmed. Uh, it's just new people have different levels
and different types of fear, you know, can't you know,
I won't say I agreed or I don't agree with
much of the fear, but it's it's still a concern
and uh uh and that's something that we need to
pay attention to, you know. But people are definitely concerned
(04:59):
about the new immigrant population we've had over the last
three to four years, you know.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
And so where do you I mean, obviously you're having
to reallocate resources, you know, where have you been hit
the hardest?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
I would say safety first forces are public health both
are you know, critical hospital as well as our federally
funded hospital they're spending you know, money on translation services
or one critical care hospital is probably spending up to
million dollars in the next year on translation services, which
that was more like in the one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars range, you know, just a few years ago.
(05:36):
Our city schools are you know, if there was maybe
one hundred to fifty to two hundred non English speaking
four years ago. Now there's fifteen hundred and more coming
into our schools. You know. That's just those are things
that we're seeing as well.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
And does that change the level of learning that students
are able to receive if you are sort of preoccupied
trying to figure out that language barrier and are preoccupied
with other things.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
I mean, I would I would definitely say, I'm sure
there's you know, it takes more time, more concern, for sure,
for the individual students.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Have you noticed any difference in sort of crime in
the city since you've had this, you know, new wave
of individuals from different countries come in.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
You know, and I'm you know, work closely with you know,
our city manager who is the city the chiefs both
work for our city manager, and I keep close contact
with them, and you know, I just I just need
to say, the one thing that we're just not seeing
is crime from the Haitian or from the immigrant Haitian community.
You know what. The only thing all agree that we
are seeing is an increase in driver crime, driving violations
(06:44):
and accidents and and things that are still a deep concern.
But by and large, we're not now we're seeing crime
targeting immigrants here because in many ways they're carrying all
their belongings on them, they're vulnerable, and so just just
saying that's one of the things we're seeing. So but
I would I would tell you if we're seeing any
gang related anything, that that is causing significant cern But
(07:08):
we're just not seeing it on the scale that that
others may be seeing it in different parts of the country.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
You know, I imagine that there's a level of frustration
of you know, people who have lived in the city,
who have grown up in the city, and you know,
the resources that are meant for them are going to
people who potentially came here illegally.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
And and you know necessarily shouldn't be here.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Sure, well, the the you know, the benefits that that
these folks receive, are they present the same they present
the right paperwork, They received the same benefit as somebody
who is in the need of welfare assistance here in
the in the county. So they would receive that benefit
if they produced the right paperwork from the federal level.
So yeah, that's definitely frustrating. Uh, you know, in the
(07:56):
amount of benefits that are being paid out at the
federal level from you know, through our partner of Jobs
and Family Services. Is it's concerning and the staff it
takes to handle. You know, if you have one hundred
people standing in line five days a week, you know,
at one point there were seventy five percent of those
folks were immigrants.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
You know, and obviously as mayor, you know you're trying
to figure out, you know, how to navigate all this.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Are your hands tied at all or you know, what
are your.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Options in terms of, you know, can you deport them
out of the city or kind of you know, what
are your options as mayor right now? And trying to
figure out how to navigate this so quickly.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
The way our governments set up is I'm one of
five commissioners, and I'm you know, I basically run our
meetings and ceremonial ahead of our city. So you know,
as as one of the commissioners, you know, it's it takes.
What we can't do is you know, people want to
know if we can just deport people out here. We can't.
We report all illegal activity to Ice. What we have
(08:52):
done though, is we've gotten in front of federal legislators today.
I was in a meeting of press conference and a
meeting with Mike Turner, who is here in our town
today and uh, he was at our federally funded hospital.
We had a large meeting with him, and you know,
he's doing what he can to highlight Springfield and show
what policies at the federal level and how they're negatively
(09:13):
affecting cities like ours, you know, and this, this whole
the whole policy that was put together by the Homeland
Security and not through Congress has definitely caused a negative
impact on our city.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Quick commercial break more with the mayor of Springfield. Stay tuned,
you know, in Congress. And then also you know, obviously
decisions that are being made at the White House and
with the Biden administration as well, and the decisions that
were taken and the actions that were taken immediately after
taking office.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
I imagine this is.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Got to be, you know, so frustrating and so challenging.
Do you know how these individuals have found their way
to Springfield, Ohio? Where they bust in or how do
you think they arrived in Springfield, Ohio?
Speaker 3 (09:55):
What I do know is they were they were brought
in Uh you know, would say Van would go to
the border. We heard as Miami, and they would fill
vans with individuals and they would drive them to the
community and back and forth.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Do you know who's funding those vans?
Speaker 3 (10:14):
You know, I can't. I would say we definitely are
looking at certain avenues with an investigative eye, using both local, state,
and federal resources to determine if there's any organized or
targeted activity or trafficking activity that would have brought these
individuals and this many individuals into our community.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
So we've also seen, you know, nngo's play a role in,
you know, sort of shuffling people around. I guess what's
the response been from the state, and what's the response
been from the federal government.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
Governor de Wine been over. We've had meetings with him
about three times in the last two and a half months.
Go to the third time will be in about a
week and a half. You know, he's definitely concerned how
it's affecting our city. We're looking for resources to try
to you know, how we can. There's just no resources
connected with this. That's the problem. Because of how this
(11:12):
was pushed through at the federal level, outside of Congress's input,
there's no funds attached to it. We learned that from Congress,
from Turner, and so it's very frustrating because they're just
you know, if it was tied to if it was
an Act of Congress, then there would be funds attached
to it. From what we understand, there's not. We're not
looking for funds. You know, we need help from the
(11:32):
federal level, Lisa, But we're not looking for funds to
fund immigration. We're looking funds to fund our help fund
our infrastructure that has been taxed by these policies.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
You know, I mean not to be.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
How does Springfield you know, survive long term with sort
of the strain to resources.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
Well, quite plainly, it's we're at an unsustainable pace. It
is not sustain We are trying to make our voice
louder and louder, talking to folks like you and others
and other interviews to tell our story. You know, it's
we don't want to you know, sprinklild It is a
compassionate city. Part of the reason folks are here is
because there is care. People do care. People are you know,
(12:18):
like I said, we have good services here. But at
the same point, everybody's heart only has so much capacity, Lisa,
And then beyond that then there's burnout, and beyond that
there's frustration. So you have a mix of responses in
our community. But by and large, you know, part of
the reason folks probably want to be in our communities
because there's good care and concern here.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Yeah, I mean, I mean think that you can have empathy.
Well you know, still.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Obviously view reality and the reality and yeah, and the
logic of this being unsustainable and unfair to you know,
the citizens of Springfield, Ohio to have resources taken away
from them and allocate it, and unfair to you as mayor,
you know, trying to navigate such a complex system.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
And and and for reference.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Point, controversial, I mean, yeah, definitely, I've signed up for
something and I've not signed up for something that I'm
dealing with right now. So it's it's very interesting, you know.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
And for reference point, you know, you've got New York
City really struggling to deal with an influx and you know,
we're talking about it a city with you know, almost
eight million people that live there that they're drained financially,
you know, they can't handle it. And and for for you,
with such a much smaller city, you know, much greater
impact in terms of you know the numbers by.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
That's per capita.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Yeah, you know me.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Is there anything that we're missing in the story. Is
there anything else you'd like to add? Is there anything
you'd like to you know, kind of say to the
to the federal government and this White House for for
help in.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
This I would ask the White House to wake up
and help help cities like ours that have been affected
by their policies. You know, we went to d C
with the invitation of Congressman Turner and sat in front
of representatives from Homeland Security and it was just a
bit shocked on how I don't believe they understand how
their decisions have affected cities like Springfield, Ohio. And that
(14:11):
was pretty frustrating. And uh, you know, we went there,
we spoke, our we plt our case. We felt heard,
but you know, we're looking for action. And you know,
we told you know, we appreciate a converce from Turner
and and Governor Dwayne and and uh and uh even
shared Brown has has listened, but we need people to
we need action now and uh and I believe that's
(14:32):
what we're going to have after today.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Did you feel like the response was you know, ignorance,
and and sort of not you know, and being unaware
or just indifference and not caring.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Well, I mean, are you talking about my trip to DC?
Speaker 2 (14:47):
Yes, the trip, I would say, I.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Would say more the response. I think they wanted to
take the conversation one way and explain benefits that are
available and what can be done to folks that have
come across. And I had to redirect, actually interrupted the
conversation with one of the assistant directors. I said, I mean,
with all due respect, this is this is not why
we're here in d C. We're here to tell you that,
you know, we are overwhelmed, and we're not We're not worried,
(15:12):
you know, we're not. I mean I just wanted to
tell us how many beds were available in Detroit to
put put immigrants, you know, for committing crimes, and like,
we don't we don't have that problem. I mean, we
have driver crime, but we don't have like felonious crime.
You know, at this point, we need help and we
need you all to wake up and tell and help
us with the policies you put together. And that's been
(15:33):
the concern. I don't know if they've listened. I'd like
to know they've listened.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
I wonder too, just because you know, this has become
such a you know, political issue, which it shouldn't. It
should just be you know, common sense and doing the
right thing and you know, managing the border and you
know all these different things. But you know, has that
made it more challenging?
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Do you think? Oh?
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Absolutely? But I will say in our city, both sides
of the aisle, both political views. People people care about
people in our town, both sides, and we want to
try to do this right. So in our community, maybe
the divide is not so stark on the political line
when it comes to how these folks need to be
(16:10):
cared for. But there is there is others that are,
you know, very much like these folks don't belong here. This,
this isn't right, And you know we pay attention to
that as well. But I mean it's you know, I'm
not trying to paint a picture. It's it's both and
we have we have both extremes, like the entire nation,
we have both extremes at work in our community as well.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
I mean, it's it sounds like you're just trying to
do the best you can with a very complicated and
complex issue.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
This is a part time job for me. I have
a full career outside of it. So I'm just trying
to navigate something.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
You know, which seems to have happened in short order.
If this has really just been I think you said
in the last you know, three years or so.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
The the the mass, the mass influx, the influx of people.
I think three to four years is accurate.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
After COVID, just after cod interesting.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Rob Brew, Springfield, Ohio, we appreciate you coming on the
show and breaking down this issue for us and letting
us know what's happening in your city.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
Thank you, Lis, I appreciate it. Thanks for having me on.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
That was Mayor Rob Rew of Springfield, Ohio. Appreciate him
for taking the time to join this show. Appreciate you
guys at home for listening every Monday and Thursday, but
you can listen throughout the week. I want to thank
John Cassio and my producer for putting the show together.
Well, we've all seen an unprecedented wave of illegal immigration
under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for that matter.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
She is the borders are after all, it was pretty clear.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
When Joe Biden took office that he was going to
handle the southern border differently than Donald Trump. And by
a handle differently, I mean open borders. That's basically what
we've seen. At the very least, over ten million legal
immigrants have made their way into the country under Joe Biden.
Along with that has come crime has come, with terrorists
(00:35):
entering the country as well. We also know that a
record number of those in the terror watch lists have
been found at the southern border under this administration as well.
But more importantly, we know that this isn't just a
crisis for border states and border towns and border cities.
I mean this has now impacted the rest of the
country as well. I mean we've seen even places like
(00:55):
New York City, with the population of millions, a sanctuary
city where someone like you know, Mayor Adams previously said, hey,
you know, everyone come here. You know, we're open door
policy to illegal immigrants, now changing his tune. I mean
he said not too long ago that never in his
life has he seen a problem that he didn't see
an ending to and that this issue will destroy New
(01:16):
York City. So what about some of these smaller towns
that have been impacted by illegal aliens coming. We're going
to have robrew the mayor Springfield, Ohio, on the show
to talk about what's happening in his city. They're only
an estimated population of almost sixty thousand, yet they have
seen anywhere from twelve thousand to fifteen thousand illegal aliens
(01:39):
come to the city of springfielde Ohio.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
So what kind of impact does that have?
Speaker 1 (01:45):
How does this city with such a small population brace
for that kind of impact? You know, how have they
had to reallocate resources?
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Is that even sustainable? What do they do?
Speaker 1 (01:55):
And gives you kind of a broader perspective of maybe
what's happening elsewhere as well. So stay tuned for Robbero,
mayor of Springfield, Ohio. Well, Mayor ru it's great to
have you on the show. I appreciate you making the time.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
We thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
So what's happening in your city is important because you know,
so many cities across the country are impacted by it.
So you have been a population close to sixty thousand,
Yet you've had an estimated maybe over ten thousand and
more illegal aliens come to your city walk us through.
You know what kind of impact has that had on Springfield, Ohio?
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Well, it's mid significant. I'll clarify a couple of things
just to you know, be fair. I'll speak the same
message I do. But we're probably seeing twelve to fifteen
thousand these folks are coming across the border. You know,
our rapid population increase that we've had is stressing our
city services. And it's due to federal immigration and border policies.
You know, whether they're illegal or not, they're here under
(02:58):
the current administration that has caused us problem. You know,
I just want to make that clear. You know, I understand.
You know, it's just very easy for somebody to come
across with no accountability, no funds whatsoever and stress cities
like ours.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
You know, are they largely Haitian or where have you
noticed that they're they're coming from the.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Probably in the last recent years, probably the last three years,
we've noticed a larger amount of Haitian individuals in our city.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
And so if you're you said fifty eight population of
fifty eight thousand, but you've had twelve thousand to fifteen
thousand come into your city.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
I mean that that is huge.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
I mean that's a substantial change to the dynamics of
the city.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Yeah, if you're looking at a budgeted city of sixty thousand,
let's say, and with a safety four strength of about
two hundred and fifty to two hundred and sixty, and
then you add fifteen twelve to fifteen thousand people to
that population, that stresses everybody. And then let's add the
language barriers, let's add the general care that's needed. You know,
these folks have traveled a long way, uh to come
(04:01):
come across into the United States, and uh, it is
it is multiple strains and uh, you know the thing
that we're seeing also is just that, you know, the
folks that live in the Midwest need to have a car,
and so folks coming here from across the border may
not know how to drive or understand their driving customs,
and that's causing significant pain and strain as well.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Yeah, what are you hearing from constituents, because you know,
I imagine that you know that kind of changed so quickly
in you know, a city of that many people. I mean,
I assume you're you're hearing a lot from constituents, you know,
kind of what's what's the feedback?
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Then people are people are concerned, they're concerned about they
feel overwhelmed. Uh, it's just new people have different levels
and different types of fear, you know, can't you know,
I won't say I agreed or I don't agree with
much of the fear, but it's it's still a concern
and uh uh and that's something that we need to
pay attention to, you know. But people are definitely concerned
(04:59):
about the new immigrant population we've had over the last
three to four years, you know.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
And so where do you I mean, obviously you're having
to reallocate resources, you know, where have you been hit
the hardest?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
I would say safety first forces are public health both
are you know, critical hospital as well as our federally
funded hospital they're spending you know, money on translation services
or one critical care hospital is probably spending up to
million dollars in the next year on translation services, which
that was more like in the one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars range, you know, just a few years ago.
(05:36):
Our city schools are you know, if there was maybe
one hundred to fifty to two hundred non English speaking
four years ago. Now there's fifteen hundred and more coming
into our schools. You know. That's just those are things
that we're seeing as well.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
And does that change the level of learning that students
are able to receive if you are sort of preoccupied
trying to figure out that language barrier and are preoccupied
with other things.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
I mean, I would I would definitely say, I'm sure
there's you know, it takes more time, more concern, for sure,
for the individual students.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Have you noticed any difference in sort of crime in
the city since you've had this, you know, new wave
of individuals from different countries come in.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
You know, and I'm you know, work closely with you know,
our city manager who is the city the chiefs both
work for our city manager, and I keep close contact
with them, and you know, I just I just need
to say, the one thing that we're just not seeing
is crime from the Haitian or from the immigrant Haitian community.
You know what. The only thing all agree that we
are seeing is an increase in driver crime, driving violations
(06:44):
and accidents and and things that are still a deep concern.
But by and large, we're not now we're seeing crime
targeting immigrants here because in many ways they're carrying all
their belongings on them, they're vulnerable, and so just just
saying that's one of the things we're seeing. So but
I would I would tell you if we're seeing any
gang related anything, that that is causing significant cern But
(07:08):
we're just not seeing it on the scale that that
others may be seeing it in different parts of the country.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
You know, I imagine that there's a level of frustration
of you know, people who have lived in the city,
who have grown up in the city, and you know,
the resources that are meant for them are going to
people who potentially came here illegally.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
And and you know necessarily shouldn't be here.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Sure, well, the the you know, the benefits that that
these folks receive, are they present the same they present
the right paperwork, They received the same benefit as somebody
who is in the need of welfare assistance here in
the in the county. So they would receive that benefit
if they produced the right paperwork from the federal level.
So yeah, that's definitely frustrating. Uh, you know, in the
(07:56):
amount of benefits that are being paid out at the
federal level from you know, through our partner of Jobs
and Family Services. Is it's concerning and the staff it
takes to handle. You know, if you have one hundred
people standing in line five days a week, you know,
at one point there were seventy five percent of those
folks were immigrants.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
You know, and obviously as mayor, you know you're trying
to figure out, you know, how to navigate all this.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Are your hands tied at all or you know, what
are your.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Options in terms of, you know, can you deport them
out of the city or kind of you know, what
are your options as mayor right now? And trying to
figure out how to navigate this so quickly.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
The way our governments set up is I'm one of
five commissioners, and I'm you know, I basically run our
meetings and ceremonial ahead of our city. So you know,
as as one of the commissioners, you know, it's it takes.
What we can't do is you know, people want to
know if we can just deport people out here. We can't.
We report all illegal activity to Ice. What we have
(08:52):
done though, is we've gotten in front of federal legislators today.
I was in a meeting of press conference and a
meeting with Mike Turner, who is here in our town
today and uh, he was at our federally funded hospital.
We had a large meeting with him, and you know,
he's doing what he can to highlight Springfield and show
what policies at the federal level and how they're negatively
(09:13):
affecting cities like ours, you know, and this, this whole
the whole policy that was put together by the Homeland
Security and not through Congress has definitely caused a negative
impact on our city.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Quick commercial break more with the mayor of Springfield. Stay tuned,
you know, in Congress. And then also you know, obviously
decisions that are being made at the White House and
with the Biden administration as well, and the decisions that
were taken and the actions that were taken immediately after
taking office.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
I imagine this is.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Got to be, you know, so frustrating and so challenging.
Do you know how these individuals have found their way
to Springfield, Ohio? Where they bust in or how do
you think they arrived in Springfield, Ohio?
Speaker 3 (09:55):
What I do know is they were they were brought
in Uh you know, would say Van would go to
the border. We heard as Miami, and they would fill
vans with individuals and they would drive them to the
community and back and forth.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Do you know who's funding those vans?
Speaker 3 (10:14):
You know, I can't. I would say we definitely are
looking at certain avenues with an investigative eye, using both local, state,
and federal resources to determine if there's any organized or
targeted activity or trafficking activity that would have brought these
individuals and this many individuals into our community.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
So we've also seen, you know, nngo's play a role in,
you know, sort of shuffling people around. I guess what's
the response been from the state, and what's the response
been from the federal government.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
Governor de Wine been over. We've had meetings with him
about three times in the last two and a half months.
Go to the third time will be in about a
week and a half. You know, he's definitely concerned how
it's affecting our city. We're looking for resources to try
to you know, how we can. There's just no resources
connected with this. That's the problem. Because of how this
(11:12):
was pushed through at the federal level, outside of Congress's input,
there's no funds attached to it. We learned that from Congress,
from Turner, and so it's very frustrating because they're just
you know, if it was tied to if it was
an Act of Congress, then there would be funds attached
to it. From what we understand, there's not. We're not
looking for funds. You know, we need help from the
(11:32):
federal level, Lisa, But we're not looking for funds to
fund immigration. We're looking funds to fund our help fund
our infrastructure that has been taxed by these policies.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
You know, I mean not to be.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
How does Springfield you know, survive long term with sort
of the strain to resources.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
Well, quite plainly, it's we're at an unsustainable pace. It
is not sustain We are trying to make our voice
louder and louder, talking to folks like you and others
and other interviews to tell our story. You know, it's
we don't want to you know, sprinklild It is a
compassionate city. Part of the reason folks are here is
because there is care. People do care. People are you know,
(12:18):
like I said, we have good services here. But at
the same point, everybody's heart only has so much capacity, Lisa,
And then beyond that then there's burnout, and beyond that
there's frustration. So you have a mix of responses in
our community. But by and large, you know, part of
the reason folks probably want to be in our communities
because there's good care and concern here.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Yeah, I mean, I mean think that you can have empathy.
Well you know, still.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Obviously view reality and the reality and yeah, and the
logic of this being unsustainable and unfair to you know,
the citizens of Springfield, Ohio to have resources taken away
from them and allocate it, and unfair to you as mayor,
you know, trying to navigate such a complex system.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
And and and for reference.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Point, controversial, I mean, yeah, definitely, I've signed up for
something and I've not signed up for something that I'm
dealing with right now. So it's it's very interesting, you know.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
And for reference point, you know, you've got New York
City really struggling to deal with an influx and you know,
we're talking about it a city with you know, almost
eight million people that live there that they're drained financially,
you know, they can't handle it. And and for for you,
with such a much smaller city, you know, much greater
impact in terms of you know the numbers by.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
That's per capita.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Yeah, you know me.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Is there anything that we're missing in the story. Is
there anything else you'd like to add? Is there anything
you'd like to you know, kind of say to the
to the federal government and this White House for for
help in.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
This I would ask the White House to wake up
and help help cities like ours that have been affected
by their policies. You know, we went to d C
with the invitation of Congressman Turner and sat in front
of representatives from Homeland Security and it was just a
bit shocked on how I don't believe they understand how
their decisions have affected cities like Springfield, Ohio. And that
(14:11):
was pretty frustrating. And uh, you know, we went there,
we spoke, our we plt our case. We felt heard,
but you know, we're looking for action. And you know,
we told you know, we appreciate a converce from Turner
and and Governor Dwayne and and uh and uh even
shared Brown has has listened, but we need people to
we need action now and uh and I believe that's
(14:32):
what we're going to have after today.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Did you feel like the response was you know, ignorance,
and and sort of not you know, and being unaware
or just indifference and not caring.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Well, I mean, are you talking about my trip to DC?
Speaker 2 (14:47):
Yes, the trip, I would say, I.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Would say more the response. I think they wanted to
take the conversation one way and explain benefits that are
available and what can be done to folks that have
come across. And I had to redirect, actually interrupted the
conversation with one of the assistant directors. I said, I mean,
with all due respect, this is this is not why
we're here in d C. We're here to tell you that,
you know, we are overwhelmed, and we're not We're not worried,
(15:12):
you know, we're not. I mean I just wanted to
tell us how many beds were available in Detroit to
put put immigrants, you know, for committing crimes, and like,
we don't we don't have that problem. I mean, we
have driver crime, but we don't have like felonious crime.
You know, at this point, we need help and we
need you all to wake up and tell and help
us with the policies you put together. And that's been
(15:33):
the concern. I don't know if they've listened. I'd like
to know they've listened.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
I wonder too, just because you know, this has become
such a you know, political issue, which it shouldn't. It
should just be you know, common sense and doing the
right thing and you know, managing the border and you
know all these different things. But you know, has that
made it more challenging?
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Do you think? Oh?
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Absolutely? But I will say in our city, both sides
of the aisle, both political views. People people care about
people in our town, both sides, and we want to
try to do this right. So in our community, maybe
the divide is not so stark on the political line
when it comes to how these folks need to be
(16:10):
cared for. But there is there is others that are,
you know, very much like these folks don't belong here. This,
this isn't right, And you know we pay attention to
that as well. But I mean it's you know, I'm
not trying to paint a picture. It's it's both and
we have we have both extremes, like the entire nation,
we have both extremes at work in our community as well.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
I mean, it's it sounds like you're just trying to
do the best you can with a very complicated and
complex issue.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
This is a part time job for me. I have
a full career outside of it. So I'm just trying
to navigate something.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
You know, which seems to have happened in short order.
If this has really just been I think you said
in the last you know, three years or so.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
The the the mass, the mass influx, the influx of people.
I think three to four years is accurate.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
After COVID, just after cod interesting.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Rob Brew, Springfield, Ohio, we appreciate you coming on the
show and breaking down this issue for us and letting
us know what's happening in your city.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
Thank you, Lis, I appreciate it. Thanks for having me on.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
That was Mayor Rob Rew of Springfield, Ohio. Appreciate him
for taking the time to join this show. Appreciate you
guys at home for listening every Monday and Thursday, but
you can listen throughout the week. I want to thank
John Cassio and my producer for putting the show together.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show News
Hosts And Creators
Clay Travis
Buck Sexton
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