Hundreds of migrants bussed to Chicago area after landing in Rockford

Hundreds of migrants bussed to Chicago after landing in Rockford

A plane carrying hundreds of migrants who crossed the Texas-Mexico border landed in Rockford Sunday morning and were bussed into Chicago.

ROCKFORD, Ill. - Hundreds of migrants landed in Rockford and were bussed into Chicago and other suburbs early Sunday, the second wave of asylum seekers to be sent by a private plane

The plane, which was carrying 350 migrants, flew from San Antonio, Texas, and landed at Chicago Rockford International Airport after midnight, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff.

"Upon landing the passengers then boarded 8 buses chartered by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The buses dropped passengers off in various suburbs and they are making their way to the City via train and other means," a City of Chicago spokesperson said in a statement

Winnebago County officials offloaded the migrants at the airport and put them onto eight buses headed to Chicago's "landing zone." Rockford police and Winnebago County sheriff's deputies escorted at least six buses to I-90 to "allow for safe passage" to Chicago, according to the sheriff's office.

Chicago has received over 27,000 migrants in total.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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