A New Era for San Antonio: Dr. Tim Westley’s Commitment to Safe and Secure Communities

In a recent interview with Bloomberg Television, Mayor Ron Nirenberg faced questions on San Antonio’s handling of a growing immigrant influx at the Southwest border. When a reporter noted the historic spike in immigration, he asked the mayor how the city and its people have managed this challenge. Mayor Nirenberg replied, “We also deal with safety… and resources in a way that allows people to move on to their next destination,” emphasizing a cooperative approach with federal authorities to balance public safety with compassion.

Yet, the mayor’s words don’t match reality. San Antonio has a history of struggles around transparency and accountability on this issue. In a 2017 incident, for instance, San Antonio police found a dozen undocumented immigrants in a tractor-trailer. Rather than turning them over to federal immigration authorities, as legally required, they released the individuals, which ultimately led Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to sue city officials. San Antonio settled the lawsuit with a $300,000 payment, a minor sum compared to the staggering $6.3 million the city had to pay in defense. This taxpayer money could have gone toward essential services for San Antonio residents rather than legal fees.

Even though Mayor Nirenberg assures the public that immigrants in San Antonio are vetted and that safety measures are in place, reports from 2024 tell a different story. The Migrant Resource Center (MRC) has been tied to criminal activity, with San Antonio police reports showing investigations around prostitution, counterfeit documents, and theft. There are concerns about a Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, which has a reputation for human trafficking and violence, infiltrating the area surrounding the MRC. Internal police documents describe this area as “plagued with criminal activity,” contradicting the mayor’s assurances about the safety and order of these spaces.

It’s clear that San Antonio needs a mayor who will acknowledge and confront these realities—someone who will balance compassion with a firm commitment to the safety and security of San Antonio’s families. Instead of wasting millions of San Antonians' tax dollars defending lawsuits that should never have arisen, let's redirect those funds to fix our streets, educate our youth, and market our city to attract new jobs. Under current leadership, San Antonio has adopted policies that make it a de facto sanctuary city, increasing the risks associated with illegal immigration.

I, Dr. Tim Westley, am ready to serve as that new leader. As the next mayor of San Antonio, I will bring a straightforward approach, closing the Migrant Resource Center to curb associated crime, strengthening law enforcement partnerships to maintain public safety, and ensuring San Antonio’s resources benefit our citizens first and foremost. It’s time for a mayor who will prioritize San Antonio’s families, its future, and uphold our laws with clarity and purpose. Together, we can create a safer, stronger city.