Will Minneapolis be the next destination for the immigrant bus convoys?

Should it? As images emerge of the Martha’s Vineyard immigrants leaving on buses for the mainland, observers wonder, what will be the next destination for border crossers?

It’s estimated that nearly 5 million migrants have crossed America’s southern border in the year-and-a-half that Joe Biden has been President.

To manage the situation, hard-pressed border states (Arizona, Florida, and Texas) have taken to moving small numbers of migrants further north to sanctuary states. Illinois, New York and Massachusetts are among the sanctuary states to receive migrants.

There have been recent efforts to add Minnesota to the list of sanctuary states. Last year State Rep. Aisha Gomez (DFL-Minneapolis) introduced HF 1919, for that very purpose. Although the bill had seven co-sponsors, it did not receive a hearing. Likewise, the Senate companion bill, SF 2118, went nowhere.

Sanctuary cities, including Chicago, New York and Washington, DC, have also received migrant buses. Who will be next?

Minneapolis, for one, has declared itself a sanctuary city. The Sahan Journal reports that 15 percent of the city’s population is foreign born and there are 70,000 undocumented residents in the Metro area.

Without a doubt, new arrivals would receive a warm welcome in Minneapolis. But does the state have infrastructure in place to accommodate busloads of new immigrants?

The state Department of Human Services has a refugee resettlement office. However, its services are open only to those with official refugee status.

Hennepin County offers its Office of Multicultural Services, which appears to be open to migrants of any status.

Minneapolis has its Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. The purpose of this bureau appears to be implementing the city’s much-delayed municipal ID program.

As was seen on Martha’s Vineyard, local charities and individuals will step up and contribute.

In Minneapolis, all are welcome.