Early last week, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to continue busing migrants to Democratic cities in a letter to Democrat Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, even though she pleaded with him to stop. The Texan’s response after Lightfoot complained the city lacked adequate resources, Abbott told her to take her grievances to President Joe Biden. Then, another wave of immigrants bussed from Texas arrived, prompting the mayor to declare an emergency on May 9, 2023.
During a news conference, Lightfoot slammed Abbott for the newest arrivals. He manufactured this so-called border crisis to promote his “cynical political purposes.” The Texan’s blinders make it impossible for him to see the humanity of those coming to the United States longing for a better life.
There were migrants, asylum-seekers, and others, including many families, among the 48 people who arrived by bus in Chicago today. Lightfoot called the sending of already exhausted people an additional 1,100 miles inhumane. Moreover, they anticipate more busloads from Texas as Title 42 expires.
Migrants Are Welcome In Chicago
Despite these new arrivals being welcome in Chicago, Mayor Lightfoot said the city had reached a breaking point at the afternoon news briefing.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, “The city, with help from Cook County and there stats of Illinois, has provided emergency care for over 8,000 new arrivals since last August” when Abbott began sending busloads of immigrants to Chicago in protest of the migrant surge at the border.
Lightfoot further explained the migrant crisis saying, “We are running out of spaces — or specifically, suitable spaces.” Many are housed at police stations, she added, although they are moved out as quickly as the city can.
However, this migrant situation is a national challenge that requires a national solution. Lightfoot contends the federal government and Congress must address this ongoing problem.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
NBC News: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott promises to keep busing migrants to Democratic cities; by Natasha Korecki
Chicago Sun-Times: Lightfoot declares emergency amid new surge of immigrant arrivals: ‘We’ve reached a breaking point; by Fran Spielman
Featured and Top Image by Ash Gerlach Courtesy of Unsplash
Inset Image by Victor Mendoza Courtesy of Pixabay – Creative Commons License
