Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she was "happy" when she learned that Texas Governor Greg Abbott was sending her buses with undocumented immigrants. It was in September last year, when the Democrat maintained that she was willing to rent the vehicles herself for the upcoming trip.
His mood seems to have changed. This Monday he released a letter asking the governor to put the brakes on. "The City of Chicago is aware that Texas plans to resume busing people to cities throughout the United States, including Chicago, beginning Monday," begins the letter in which the mayor asks Abbott not to pursue an "inhumane and dangerous" measure.
Chicago is a 'welcoming city' and we continue to collaborate with county, state and community partners to address this challenge. The lack of confederation or coordination in an attempt to cause chaos and score political points has resulted in a critical tipping point.
Chicago is a Welcoming City and we continue to collaborate with County, State, and community partners to rise to this challenge. The lack of confederation or coordination in an attempt to cause chaos and score political points has resulted in a critical tipping point.🧵 https://t.co/EBaRUL3rT1
— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) April 30, 2023
Lightfoot wrote that they received 8,000 people since shipments began last year. Mayor argues city welcomes immigrants, but that:
We simply have no more shelters, spaces or resources to accommodate an increase in individuals at this level, with little coordination or care that does not pose a risk to them or others.
The situation, for the mayor, became totally"untenable". He also pointed out that it was a national problem, which would not be solved by delegating responsibility to the cities.
I will continue to ask the federal government for more resources and support, as well as much needed policy changes, just as I will ask them to withhold all FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funds for Texas if charter buses come to our city again. But I would rather work with you than against you.
Securing' the border
The busing is part of Abbott's strategy to "relieve and secure" the border. The destination of the trips are "sanctuary cities", whose rules are more "friendly" to immigrants than the national ones. Some of these buses even parked in front of Vice President Kamala Harris' residence.
