Chicago City Council allocates $70M for migrant support despite public opposition. The Chicago City Council moves forward with a $70M allocation for migrant care despite facing backlash from voters. Despite public opposition, the council approves the funding to support migrant communities.
The Chicago City Council has approved an additional $70 million to support the care of illegal immigrants in the city, despite strong opposition from residents who feel that foreign nationals are being prioritized over native Chicagoans. The funding, which was requested by Mayor Brandon Johnson, aims to help address the ongoing migrant crisis in the city.
The council voted 30-18 in favor of the funding, which will be used to provide basic necessities such as food, shelter, medical care, education, vaccines, case management, and resettlement support to migrants. The city has been dealing with a surge in migrant arrivals, with over 2,000 migrants arriving in a single week at its peak. Since August 2022, nearly 40,000 migrants have arrived in the city.
However, the decision has sparked outrage among some residents, who feel that the city is prioritizing the needs of migrants over those of its own citizens. During a City Council meeting on Wednesday, residents protested the funding request, with some accusing the government of misusing taxpayer money.
“We need that money in my neighborhood, we need that money on my block,” said one resident. “So I’m asking y’all to use our tax money for our people, we need it.” Another resident warned that if the council voted in favor of the funding, they would face consequences at the ballot box.
“Vote for the money for these immigrants today and we coming for those seats, you can believe that,” she said.
“You better be worrying about your job, you better be worrying about your longevity because we gonna vote and we gonna getcha out, ’cause you ain’t doing right by us, that’s what time it is.”
Some residents have also expressed concerns about safety, citing incidents of violence and disorder at migrant shelters. “They’re showing up here in New York and Chicago attacking people in the streets,” said one resident. “The police are fighting with them in the… shelters that you guys are funding.”
The decision has also sparked a push to recall Mayor Johnson, with a group currently gathering signatures for a ballot referendum to change state law and allow for the recall of the mayor. Currently, state law only allows for the recall of the governor.
The funding approval comes as part of a larger debate over immigration and the role of local governments in supporting migrant populations. Mayor Johnson has been calling for more funding and national coordination of resettlement efforts, as well as faster employment documents for migrants.
The situation in Chicago is not unique, with many cities across the United States grappling with the challenges of supporting migrant populations. The issue has become increasingly politicized, with some arguing that local governments are prioritizing the needs of migrants over those of their own citizens.
Regardless, the decision by the Chicago City Council highlights the complex and often contentious nature of immigration policy in the United States. As the city continues to grapple with the challenges of supporting its migrant population, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what impact it will have on the city and its residents.
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