Chicago issues emergency declaration on immigrant arrivals
Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned that they have no resources to care for the illegals and added that they are "at a critical point in responding to this humanitarian crisis."
The mayor of Chicago, Illinois, Lori Lightfoot, issued an emergency declaration regarding the arrival of immigrants in the city. The Democrat warned that they have reached "a critical point in the response to this humanitarian crisis":
According to the statement, the emergency was issued in response "to the surge of new arrivals since last month, with a large number of people, mostly families, being inhumanely bused to Chicago by Texas Governor Greg Abbott."
However, the statement is also taken as a precautionary measure in the face of the immigration flood that is anticipated after the end of Title 42 on May 11. Authorities expect between 10,000 and 16,000 illegals to arrive daily at the border and the emergency gives Lightfoot the power to request assistance from the Illinois National Guard:
Lighfoot blames Texas governor
Chicago has received about 8,000 immigrants since August 2022. They arrived in the city by bus from border states such as Texas and Arizona. The mayor sent a letter to Governor Abbott in late April, asking him to stop sending illegals:
Abbott justifies his decision to send people to Democratic states or cities because of their "sanctuary" policies that are favorable to illegal immigration. He also blames the Biden Administration for implementing measures that have only worsened the crisis in Texas and spilled over the border.
"We need a national solution"
In the statement Lightfoot detailed that the illegals are being sheltered temporarily in police stations because the city's resources are stretched to the limit. In addition, she requested additional funds from the federal and state governments to withstand the new mass influx expected after the expiration of Title 42:
Illinois, the only state to provide comprehensive health care to older immigrants
Some Republican state lawmakers criticized that Illinois is the only state that provides comprehensive health care to illegals over 65. A recent report revealed that the cost of that care is projected to skyrocket to nearly $1 billion in fiscal year 2024.
Congressman Marty McLaughlin commented during budget talks in the state House of Representatives that the needs of Illinois citizens should be met first and then those of illegals: