White House responds to growing migrant crisis in Chicago

CHICAGO - Chicago leaders were expecting four more buses of asylum seekers to arrive on Friday. However, only one of the buses applied for a permit. 

Many of the migrants coming to the Chicago area have been directed here from Texas.

"What we’ve asked of Texas is they coordinate -- they don’t just use migrants as political pawns," said Luis Miranda, with Homeland Security. "It’s also potentially putting migrants in danger, dropping migrants off who maybe don’t have the proper clothes for the severe weather."

The number of migrants awaiting placement has been increasing daily this week as border crossings with Mexico were reopened. 

"Ultimately we recognize the world is experiencing a very large shift in migration trends affecting the entire hemisphere," said Miranda.

Both Republicans and Democrats in the nation's capital point the blame at each other for the record numbers coming across the border. 

The White House admits the number of border crossings is historic and says they need Congress to sign off on more funding to help places like Chicago.

"At the end of the day, we know that the system is broken. We need Congress to take action. We've already provided the City of Chicago $19 million, roughly $42 million for the entire state of Illinois and part of what this supplemental bill calls for is additional funding to be able to continue to provide some support for these cities and communities," said Miranda. 

Miranda adds that Homeland Security doesn't just welcome all who cross the border. 

Last year, they removed or expelled 1.2 million people who had crossed without proper authorization. 

Chicago and the State of Illinois have received tens of millions of dollars to assist in migrant placement, but Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to push for more as more migrants filter in. 

There are currently more than 14,000 migrants in shelters across Chicago and nearly 30,000 have traveled to the city since last year.