Migrants in Chicago: Another wave of buses arrives as calls for federal support grow
CHICAGO - With migrant buses on the move – arriving in Chicago around the clock – City Council members are turning to federal officials for help.
This comes as the Biden Administration announced Thursday it will resume deportations for Venezuelans at the southern border.
Just hours after the White House’s decision was made public, a closed-door meeting was held at Chicago City Hall with officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
"The lack of coordination is making this not only incredibly difficult, but honestly much more complicated than it should be," said Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward). "It is about time the state and the governor help the City of Chicago."
The city has welcomed at least 10 migrant buses from the Texas border each day for the last three days. On Wednesday alone, Chicago received a record number of 14 buses. At least 11 buses were expected to arrive in the city Thursday.
Mayor Johnson to visit Southern U.S. border, assess migrant situation
Mayor Brandon Johnson said Wednesday he plans to make his own trip to the Mexican border — as soon as he can arrange it with his wife and kids — to see for himself the unfolding disaster creating havoc and hardship in Chicago.
After a lengthy journey to reach American soil, followed by a 22-hour bus ride, migrants are being greeted by staff members with the Office of Emergency Management & Communications at a ‘landing zone’ near Jefferson Street and Vernon Park Place.
"In the city of Chicago, we are doing everything we can to help people but without intervention and support of the federal and state government, this is creating real despair in communities that have been disinvested for quite some time," said Sigcho-Lopez.
While the details of what was discussed during Thursday’s meeting have been kept quiet, it was reportedly attended by a group of City Council members, including Sigcho-Lopez, DHS officials and the Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson.
"The city has set up 23 shelters in record time, the state has not even set up one," said Sigcho-Lopez.
Biden administration resuming deportation flights for Venezuelan migrants, AP sources say
The news comes not long after the administration increased protected status for Venezuelans who arrive to the U.S.
During the meeting, Sigcho-Lopez said he planned on asking for support from top – not only for new arrivals, but also for Chicago residents.
"We cannot pick and choose who we help. Our community has been helping despite the lack of support, so it is critical that the state and federal government come and invest in housing, education, wrap-around services, health and medical care for all Chicagoans, not only for new neighbors," said Sigcho-Lopez.
A spokesperson with the Department of Homeland Security released the following statement Thursday:
"DHS is coordinating with the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois to identify ways we can continue to maximize our support for communities that are addressing the needs of migrants while enforcing tough consequences against those without a legal basis to remain in the country. This Administration has already delivered over $1 billion in support to communities and non-profit organizations, including $46.5 million to the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago this past fiscal year. We will continue to offer best practices and guidance to interior cities as they work to integrate eligible noncitizens into the American workforce, and to manage our nation’s broken immigration system in a safe, orderly, and humane way until Congress acts to fix it."
On Wednesday, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced he plans on visiting the southern border to see the migrant situation for himself. The timeline for that trip has yet to be decided.
Governor J.B. Pritzker penned a letter to President Joe Biden earlier this week asking for federal support and to speed up the approval of work permits.