Chicago’s Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson Wednesday Regarding the administration’s decision to limit shelter stays for illegal immigrants, including families with school-age children, to 60 days. WBMA-LD report.
“This week the city began asking families with children to leave city shelters. Is this something the city should do and is it consistent with Chicago’s values as a welcoming city, as you have expressed?” a reporter asked Johnson.
“It’s an unsustainable mission.”
The mayor responded, “Well, our values are at the forefront. In fact, many people across the country and the world have seen our motto and how we have provided care in this moment. As you know, I have worked hard to rally the state, the county and the federal government to meet this mission.”
“it is Unsustainable “Our mission cannot be accomplished because we lack the support of Congress, which of course has refused to respond to President Biden’s leadership and enact the substantive immigration reform policies that we so desperately need,” Johnson continued.
He accused “Trump Republicans” of having an “interest in going after convicted criminals — felons,” referring to conservative senators’ rejection of a so-called bipartisan Senate bill introduced in February. Critics argue the bill would not address the border crisis, as Democrats have repeatedly claimed. Instead, Republicans introduced a border security bill. HR2 2015-03-19 16:00:00introduced a bill to end illegal border crossings, but Senate Democrats refused to bring it to a vote.
Johnson said illegal immigrants who are deported after the 60-day limit can return if there are free beds available.
“Fifty-five percent do,” he continued, “and about 45 percent move on to the next step. So, yes, we’re still living by our values.”
After being evicted, undocumented immigrants can return to city-designated “landing zones” and reapply for shelter. W.T.W. According to the report, 966 illegal immigrants have been evicted from the city’s shelters so far.
Johnson argued that Chicago provides a level of care for undocumented immigrants that is unmatched in other parts of the country. City officials noted that exceptions to the stay restrictions may be granted for people with health problems or who are pregnant or caring for infants. People waiting for benefits from other government agencies can also apply for exemptions.
More than 43,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in Chicago since 2022. The city has spent about $400 million to provide them with shelter, food and other services.
Last year, city leaders proposed adding a referendum to the March primary that would have allowed Chicago voters to decide on the city’s “sanctuary” status. Johnson and his allies blocked the referendum in December, The Blaze News previously reported.
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