Concerns have risen in Chicago as another busload of migrants is expected to arrive at any moment and the city has nowhere to place them. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has urged Texas Governor Greg Abbott to stop sending them to the city. However, all of Lightfoot’s pleas have gone ignored.
Immigration Reform March
A march in support of immigration reform occurred over the weekend. Activists and immigrants stood together demanding immigration reform for undocumented workers. The event was held at Chicago’s Adalberto United Methodist Church in Humboldt Park.
Their hoping to grab the attention of President Joe Biden, in addition to, Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Baldwin. The city needs help with the migrants being sent to Chicago, as resources and placements are dwindling.
Activist Elvira Arellano stated, “A lot of them have manifested their support for immigrants but we don’t see anything in concrete.” Furthermore, she noted how former President Barack Obama had promised an immigration reform bill. However, that was a promise that was not kept.
Lightfoot’s Appeal to Abbott
On Sunday, April 30, Lightfoot sent Governor Abbott a letter, pleading for him to refrain from sending more immigrants to Chicago.
I am, yet again, appealing to your better nature and asking that you stop this inhumane and dangerous action.
The following day Lightfoot appeared on CNN reiterating her sentiments in the letter. She stated the city was “completely tapped out.” Adding that Chicago had no more resources or space for the ones they already had. “We’ve been seeing over the last week two to three weeks, 200-plus people coming to Chicago every single day,” emphasized Lightfoot.
Sleeping Conditions for Migrants
Currently, there are migrants sleeping on police station lobby floors. Some of whom are pregnant and nursing ill children. Interim Superintendent of Police, Eric M. Carter, released a statement saying:
Since last year, our Department has been collaborating with city partners, social agencies, and community organizations to prepare and plan foe, and aid in, the arrival of asylum seekers.
To which Alderman Raymond Lopez shared via Twitter saying, “.@Chicago_Police have been preparing since last year for refugees & asylum seekers. Really? This is the best they & politicians could come up with in this “sanctuary:” leaving them in bathroom vestibules and district lobbies! #Failure.”
One user replied to Alderman Lopez, “Once again CPD is told to do be Social Workers instead of being policing the city. Where are all of so called social workers to be found.” A feeling many residents are wondering about.
Lightfoot’s Concern
Like many people, Lightfoot is concerned about the safety and health of all individuals living in Chicago. “If we don’t put the humanity of these migrants front and center, I understand, and I’m solely compassionate to the fact of the border are themselves really overrun,” Lightfoot stated. However, this issue is not resolved “by simply sticking people on buses to a city that they did not ask to come to.” This creates an “uncertain future,” added Lightfoot.
Additionally, practically all the migrants who have come to the city were “in dire need” of water, food, and clothing, adding that many needed extensive medical care. Furthermore, some of them were sexual assault victims. “None of these urgent needs were addressed in Texas,” Lightfoot added.
Instead, these individuals and families were packed onto buses and shipped across the country like freight without regard to their personal circumstances.
While Lightfoot is sympathetic to the challenges border city and states face, she’d rather work with them than against them. Over 8,000 migrants have been shipped to Chicago since August 2022. That is when Abbott began sending the migrants without warning.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
ABC7 Chicago: Mayor Lightfoot says Chicago ‘tapped out’ of resources as marchers call for help for migrants
NBC5 Chicago: Chicago Activists Demand Immigration Reform Ahead of May Day
KHON2: ‘We simply have no more shelters:’ Lightfoot implores Abbott to stop sending migrants
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Carlos Fernandez‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Patrick‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
