Wu made the remarks during a previous May 12, 2023 appearance on Boston Public Radio’s “Ask the Mayor” segment, when asked about the expiration of the Title 42 border policy and its effects on Boston.
She said cities across the country were experiencing what she described as a crisis involving migrant families waiting for their immigration cases to be reviewed.
“Every person, every human being, has the legal right to come to the United States and seek asylum or shelter,” Wu said.
May 12, 2023 — On WBUR’s Ask the Mayor, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu explains how federal asylum backlogs are affecting migrant families in Boston, why many cannot legally work yet, and how the city and state are responding. pic.twitter.com/aj5DJ2nDDX
— American Gazzete (@AmericanGazzete) February 1, 2026
Wu said drawn-out federal reviews were preventing migrants from working legally, with some families waiting up to a year for authorization. She said Boston was working with Massachusetts officials to provide temporary housing and help families access healthcare, legal services and work authorization pathways.
She added that families who receive authorization have been filling staffing shortages and integrating into local communities.
A segment of Wu’s comments later circulated on social media. Rep. Brandon Gill, a Republican from Texas, responded in a post on social media, writing, “Dems demand infinity immigration, then infinity welfare – all at Americans’ expense.”
Dems demand infinity immigration, then infinity welfare – all at Americans’ expense. https://t.co/FDokvanTwc
— Congressman Brandon Gill (@RepBrandonGill) January 31, 2026
Gill has previously addressed immigration and welfare issues in a BlazeTV interview on Jan 24, 2026, where he argued that Somali immigrants in Minnesota rely on public assistance at higher rates than native-born Americans.
“It’s over 80% of Somalis in the United States, or, or in Minnesota, excuse me, are, are on welfare,” Gill said in the interview. He added that “even after being in the United States for 10 years or longer, the percentage of Somalis in Minnesota who are on welfare is 78%.”
80% of Somalis in Minnesota are on welfare. They’re not coming here to live the American dream, they’re coming here for free stuff. pic.twitter.com/qYUPaPQSq2
— Congressman Brandon Gill (@RepBrandonGill) January 29, 2026
Wu’s remarks were made in the context of federal asylum procedures following the end of Title 42. Gill’s response focused on immigration and welfare policy.
