“There’s a division in our Democratic Party” – Chicago Democrats warn of increasing division around the ongoing migrant crisis and its effects on the Illinois capital.
Pushback From Chicago Democrats
It appears that some Chicago Democrats are beginning to push back against the influx of illegal immigrants into Illinois’ sanctuary city, and others are warning that divisions over migration may flip Illinois to a swing state.
Hundreds of Millions
Chicago, which has been tagged as a sanctuary city for overflowing migrant numbers, has spent $156 million on the record-breaking migrant crisis that has been affecting U.S. cities and border communities since 2019.
Resettling Thousands
Over the last 18 months, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has redirected thousands of migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border to sanctuary cities like Chicago, New York, and Denver.
A Sanctuary City Overwhelmed
34,000 of those migrants were sent to Chicago, with more than 14,000 asylum seekers currently living in city shelters.
And Democrat officials, advocates, and government workers are beginning to push back against the wave of immigration that is overwhelming city resources.
Commissioner Candidate Speaks
One of these Democrats is Zerlina Smith-Members, who is a candidate for the Cook County Board of Commissioners and has spoken out against the public funds and resources that are being used to resettle illegal immigrants and asylum seekers instead of the city’s homeless population.
Those Who Jump the Line
“We have people who have come here illegally, who have jumped the line,” she told the National Review, a report that interviewed Democrat candidates and activists on the issue of migration and its impacts on Chicago.
“Not Abbott’s Fault”
While many have blamed Gov. Abbott for the influx of immigration to Illinois, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Smith-Members rejected this, saying, “It’s a Biden thing. It’s a Pritzker thing. It’s a Brandon Johnson thing. They wanted sanctuary cities. It’s not Abbott’s fault, because he didn’t ask for it. We asked for it.”
Mixed Up Priorities?
Tio Hardiman, who is the founder of the advocacy group Violence Interrupters, told the report that the millions of dollars spent on resettling migrants in Chicago was a slap in the face to the city’s underserved Black community.
No Focus on Residents
“The reality is, if you look at Chicago now, you have high unemployment rates among African-American youth in particular,” Hardiman said.
“You have a lack of mental health services in Chicago, you had thousands of homeless people in Chicago already that were never, ever focused on like they are focusing on the migrants.”
An End to the Sanctuary City
Hardiman also called for a reconsideration of Chicago’s sanctuary city status. “If I was the mayor right now, I would make an executive decision to bring an end to sanctuary-city [status] in Chicago, because we’re not prepared to deal with it,” he said.
Leaders Remain Steadfast
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Johnson have remained steadfast in their promise to support migrant communities, but even their employees are beginning to express disagreement.
Employees Too
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Chicago-based government employee and Democrat voter Cara Truss said that both the city and wider state have “a real mess” on their hands.
“No Money” for Migrants
“There is no money to take care of the migrants, nor is there money to take care of the people that are there,” she proclaimed.
Filing Suit
Truss has also advocated for Chicago to give up its status as a sanctuary city and, along with a group of fellow Chicago residents, has filed a lawsuit against the city.
Broken Promises to the Community
The group, who all live in the Chicago neighborhood of Austin, claim that city officials used a neighborhood building to house migrants after previously pledging it to the community as a support center for local youths.
Mismanaged Funds
They also claim that funds for neighborhoods and public schools have been taken to cover the rising costs of migrant resettlement.
“We Are Not Happy”
“We are not happy with what is happening here,” said Truss, who also claimed that the state would see many more Democrats “jumping ship” over the immigration problem.
The Same Concerns
Smith-Members expressed similar concerns to Truss, telling the National Review that the blue state of Illinois may see a significant change in its voting base in coming years if the migrant crisis in Chicago is not adequately addressed.
Out With the Old?
She stated her belief that Chicago voters have “woke up” and are “not standing with […] old leadership.”
A Division of the Democrats
“There’s a division in our Democratic Party. It has weakened. It is going to get worse,” she warned. “The immigration crisis is going to flip the state of Illinois purple.”
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The post The Immigration Crisis Will Flip Illinois Purple’ – Chicago Democrats Call for End to Sanctuary City Status first appeared on From Frugal to Free.
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