Chicago City Councilman Brian Hopkins (D) said Thursday that he doubts the city would have become a “sanctuary city” if it had known what the future meant.
The Windy City has been a sanctuary since 1985, when then-Mayor Harold Washington issued an executive order prohibiting city officials from interrogating residents or cooperating with investigations related to “the citizenship or residency status of any person.” It has become a city. The order also prohibited cities from denying city services to residents based on citizenship status.
Chicago's subsequent mayors reaffirmed the order, and the city passed it as well. Welcome city weaponitself has been reaffirmed and expanded upon many times.
On Thursday, Hopkins complained on Fox News that the federal government has “dropped the ball” on the immigration crisis and called on the Biden administration to do more to help Chicago, which is overwhelmed with tens of thousands of immigrants.
“We have been seeking federal assistance to resolve this crisis locally and secure the Texas-Arizona border,” Hopkins explained.
The complaint prompted Fox News host Sandra Smith to highlight the contradiction between Hopkins' rhetoric and Chicago's actions.
“But with all due respect, haven't the leaders of your city said, 'We are a sanctuary city, and everyone is welcome?'” Isn't that the message? ” she asked.
“Yeah, you haven't heard that from me,” Hopkins replied. “If we had to vote again to authorize Chicago to become a sanctuary city, I don’t know if it would happen.”
Alderman pointed to efforts to add a referendum The City of Chicago's March ballot asked voters whether they wanted to maintain Chicago's status as a sanctuary city. Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) blocked that effort, Hopkins explained.
“Our status as a sanctuary city was first established back in the '80s. This is nothing new. We put this flag in the ground a long time ago. Back then, no one I had no idea that it would lead to the situation we have today.'' This was completely unexpected, completely unprecedented, and no one had thought that a sanctuary city would be what it meant. ” he said.
It's true that Chicago's sanctuary city policy itself is not the direct cause of the city's immigration crisis. But the policy presents the city as a safe and welcoming landing spot for immigrants, who can access paid services without worrying about their immigration status.
Now, it's clear that some in Chicago's leadership feel remorseful for buyers for giving the illusion of open arms.
Do you like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Please register here!
