Outgoing Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, has written to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, urging him to stop sending busloads of migrants to the city, which she claims are being motivated by politics.
Governor Abbott began the relocation of migrant buses to Chicago and other sanctuary cities, including New York City and Washington, D.C., in response to the growing numbers of migrant crossings at the southern border. Abbott plans to continue the relocation until the federal government secures the border.
Today, @chicagosmayor sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott urging his administration to stop the inhumane and dangerous action of bussing migrants to Chicago.
We are aware that Texas is planning to resume bussing individuals and families to cities including Chicago. pic.twitter.com/jvBYygcH9A
— Ryan Johnson (@Ryan_Johnson) April 30, 2023
Lightfoot has highlighted that Chicago officials learned that Texas intends to send additional migrants to sanctuary cities starting Monday, and implores the Governor to reconsider “this dangerous and inhumane action” considering the lack of necessary shelters and resources to address further migrant relocations.
Lightfoot claimed that Chicago has already assumed responsibility for the care of more than 8,000 people who had no resources since the first buses arrived from Texas in August. The number has since grown, and nearly all migrants have been in dire need of food, water, clothing, and medical care. The Democratic mayor said, “Some of the individuals you placed on buses were women in active labor, and some were victims of sexual assault. None of these urgent needs were addressed in Texas. Instead, these individuals and families were packed onto buses and shipped across the country like freight without regard to their personal circumstances.”
Lightfoot noted that policy changes to the U.S. immigration system are necessary, and the issue cannot be resolved by passing it on to other cities. She also urged the federal government to withhold all FEMA funding for Texas if buses of migrants continue to be sent to Chicago. Lightfoot added, “I would rather work with you than against you.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has also expressed his opposition to the migrant relocation to cities, calling it unfair for local governments to handle national obligations.
