Blue cities, which are typically bastions of progressive ideology and sanctuary city policies, are becoming more amenable to the phrase “not in my backyard” as the influx of foreigners continues pouring in. The border crisis has finally reached blue America and put enormous pressure on cities to accommodate the constant arrivals.

Now, it appears that left-leaning individuals on the ground and even in government could be rethinking their “let 'em all in” approach to immigration.

In Queens, one resident told reporters that she opposes migrant shelters because of the rampant overcrowding issue that has plagued New York City. “These are human beings who deserve a chance at life and opportunities,” she said while pointing out that “our government and our leadership have been failing us.”

Don Levy, Director of the Siena College Research Institute, observed that “people are extremely conflicted” on the border crisis issue. The organization polled New Yorkers on their opinions on the influx of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants into the city.

In polls, large majorities of New Yorkers say immigrants bring new vitality to the country, and that the current migrants want only to build a better life. They reject the suggestion that immigrants want handouts or that they bring crime or drugs.

But majorities also say the recent influx of migrants is a “serious problem,” and that it is time to slow or stop the flow of new arrivals. Nearly half say migrants to the state over the past 20 years have been a “burden” rather than a “benefit.”

Mr. Levy said New Yorkers fall into three comparably sized categories. About a third hold generally negative views of the migrants. Another third are resolutely supportive. That leaves a large swath in the middle, Mr. Levy said.

Apparently, negative sentiment toward the new arrivals has been on the rise. Last month, a group of residents in Staten Island blocked a bus carrying asylum seekers and illegals and protested the ongoing flow of people into the city. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis, condemned the protests but acknowledged the escalating frustrations: "New Yorkers are frustrated, New Yorkers are really concerned,” he said.

Adams also argued that “this crisis should be dealt with in a manner where the national government carries out the role that it is supposed to” and that the crisis “should not be left on the backs of New York City residents.”

Much of the change of heart occurring among the left is due to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who began bussing illegals and asylum seekers to blue cities to force them to share in the burden placed on border cities. Indeed, it has placed politicians in these cities in a tough spot in which they have to walk the tightrope between advocating for tougher solutions while also not appearing to be anti-immigration.

Nevertheless, many Democratic politicians have begun criticizing the Biden administration for its inability – or unwillingness – to take substantive action to solve the problem at the southern border. If more of the party’s voting base becomes fed up with having to deal with the tens of thousands of people coming into their cities, it might not be long before they start pressuring their elected officials to take the issue seriously.

Still, getting Congress to implement actual immigration reform that would decrease illegal immigration while ensuring that the United States lets in the right people remains an uphill battle. No matter which party dominates the federal government, actual reform has not been forthcoming. It seems both parties would prefer using immigration as a political football rather than actually doing something about it. Meanwhile, it is the people on the ground who continue to suffer the most.