By Kevin Bessler with the Illinois Radio Network
As Illinois continues to welcome migrants from the Mexican border, officials are now scrambling to find the resources to care for them.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has issued an emergency proclamation in response to the influx of migrants.
“Yes, of course, we are a welcoming city and we always do what’s right by our immigrant and refugee communities, but we have reached a breaking point in our response to this humanitarian crisis,” said Lightfoot during a Tuesday news conference.
Lightfoot’s declaration grants the mayor the ability to request assistance from the Illinois National Guard.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been busing migrants to Chicago and other cities since last year to protest the Biden administration’s handling of the border. Since August of last year, Chicago has welcomed over 8,000 migrants to the city.
Activists are currently pushing for more resources for the many migrants arriving in Illinois, as hundreds are sleeping in police stations.
Lightfoot is not happy with the amount of FEMA funds the city just received compared to last year.
“We need a national solution for this national challenger,” said Lightfoot. “This can’t be done city by city, state by state, it has to be comprehensive and originated by the federal government.”
The situation could possibly soon worsen. Title 42, which allowed the government to turn away asylum seekers on public health grounds during the COVID-19 pandemic, ends Thursday. Thousands of migrants have reportedly gathered at the border in anticipation.
Some Republican lawmakers have highlighted the fact that Illinois is the only state that provides full health care for immigrants over a certain age. A recent report showed the cost for that health care will balloon to nearly $1 billion in fiscal year 2024.
State Rep. Marty McLaughlin, R-Barrington, brought up the migrant situation to members of the House Tuesday and asked his colleagues to do the right thing during budget talks.
“Please serve, protect and honor your pledge to take care of the citizens of Illinois first, particularly our most vulnerable, as we go over the budget over the next ten days,” said McLaughlin.
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