Chicago mayor accused of prioritizing migrants over Black community
Mayor Brandon Johnson found himself at the center of a heated debate, as residents raised concerns about the city’s approach to sanctuary city policies.
The meeting, originally intended to discuss a potential referendum on Chicago’s sanctuary status, took an unexpected turn as accusations flew about the allocation of resources and priorities within the city.
A local woman, Lauren Lawrence, voiced her apprehensions during the public comment period. Lawrence, a Chicago native, expressed her disagreement with the concept of Chicago being a sanctuary city. She argued that people should enter the country legally and raised concerns about the safety of neighborhoods due to the influx of migrants.
Lawrence criticized the mayor for signing an executive order on his first day that established a new position called “deputy mayor for immigrant, migrant, and refugee rights.”
This executive order, signed on May 15, directed city departments to coordinate with the newly appointed deputy mayor to uphold Chicago’s status as a welcoming and sanctuary city.
Lawrence questioned the fairness of this decision, especially regarding communities that had been waiting for assistance for an extended period. She urged the mayor to focus on cleaning up neighborhoods and addressing the rights and needs of the local population.
The core of Lawrence’s argument lay in her belief that prioritizing migrants, especially those who entered the country illegally, over lawful citizens was unjust. She highlighted her concerns about thousands of dollars going to individuals who arrived in the country without following legal immigration procedures, while neglecting the needs of veterans and the homeless in Chicago.
Following the public comments, the Chicago City Council took a surprising turn by voting to adjourn without delving into the discussion on the referendum regarding Chicago’s sanctuary city status.
This decision prompted Alderman Anthony Beale to express his frustration and demand answers from Mayor Johnson and the council.
Beale, representing Chicago’s Ninth Ward, questioned whether the mayor and council were avoiding a conversation about the referendum because they were afraid to hear the truth about how funds were being utilized for migrants. He accused them of fearing transparency and not wanting to face the reality that they might be misusing funds.
In a passionate address, Beale raised concerns about the increasing crime rates and the struggling state of schools in Chicago. He criticized the council for allocating significant amounts of money to individuals who don’t pay taxes and don’t live in the city. While expressing empathy for those in need, Beale underscored the importance of prioritizing the residents who have been faithfully paying taxes throughout their lives.
Beale highlighted specific issues in his community, such as seniors lacking resources and people waiting for basic necessities like furnaces and roofs. He criticized the council’s decision to spend considerable funds in one area, only to see those funds go to waste.
Referring to a recent situation where plans for a temporary winter camp for migrants at Brighton Park were canceled, Beale emphasized the conditions migrants were living in and questioned the wisdom of the allocation of funds. He challenged the council to reconsider its priorities and focus on addressing the pressing needs of the community.
As of Thursday morning, data showed that over 25,000 people had arrived in Chicago from the southern border since August 2022. The city’s dashboard mentioned that these people had come via “Texas buses,” referencing Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s migrant busing operation.
However, the dashboard only had data until June 2023, showing around 4,252 individuals arriving by plane to Chicago seeking asylum since then.
Beale concluded his address with disappointment, accusing the council of turning its back on the people who paid taxes in the city. He urged them to reconsider their priorities, listen to the needs of the community, and address the pressing issues affecting Chicago residents.
In essence, the meeting brought to the forefront the tensions surrounding Chicago’s sanctuary city policies and the allocation of resources. The differing opinions and accusations underscored the challenges faced by the city’s leadership in balancing the needs of different communities and addressing concerns related to immigration policies and social services.
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