Fox's first appearance: Republicans on the Senate Commerce Committee are investigating Chicago's detention facilities for illegal immigrants at the city's two airports, asking whether the city is violating funding requirements and asking whether the city is a sanctuary city. It has accused the country of becoming a “magnet for illegal immigration” due to its policies.
Republicans, led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson about the move to detain migrants at O'Hare International Airport since March and more recently at Midway International Airport. Images were released last year of hundreds of migrants camping in a corner of O'Hare's airport. The move comes as the city struggles to cope with an influx of tens of thousands of migrants since mid-2022.
“Diverting airport facilities and infrastructure to house illegal aliens not only undermines taxpayer investment in the nation's airport system, but also, at least in the case of O'Hare, is a federally funded airport facility. This violates the law because the airport is withdrawn from public access and use. These federally funded facilities are required to be “available for public use as an airport.” ”
“No reasonable person would define an airport as a facility for holding illegal aliens,” they say.
Chicago faces backlash from residents over resources for immigrants: 'They just aren't listening!'
Migrants just arrived at a temporary shelter run by the city of Chicago at O'Hare International Airport on August 31, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) ((Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images))
They also cited Chicago's status as a “sanctuary city,” saying that Gov. Greg Abbott's opposition to busing immigrants from Texas suggests that the city should “not use such clichés.” “This shows that workers are working overtime to avoid this,” he said.
“Just recently, you described the influx of illegal aliens into Chicago as 'sows.'[ing] Texas Governor Greg Abbott has suggested that the plan to voluntarily deport undocumented immigrants to sanctuary cities is “aggressive” and motivated by racial animus. . . “A city led by Black leaders and leaders of color,” they said, demanding that the federal government and U.S. taxpayers pay for the city's decision to ignore federal law. ing.
It also highlighted the city's dispute with United Airlines and American Airlines over a new terminal at O'Hare, saying the city was “squeezing more money out of United Airlines and American Airlines as they struggle to offset operating costs.” “Isn't that what he's trying to do?” he asks. sanctuary city. ”
Lawmakers are asking about the number of immigrants held at the airport, the associated costs, the danger the airport poses, whether it received a waiver from the federal government, and whether it consulted with the TSA regarding aviation safety and security. .
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) votes at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images) (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
“Instead of advocating for border communities to shoulder the burden alone, to advocate for border and transportation security and immigration law enforcement, and to consider reversing Chicago’s false sanctuary city magnet for illegal immigration.” “We encourage you to use the authorities at your disposal to implement 'policies,'” they say.
In December, Mr. Johnson touted his administration's efforts to provide housing, health care and schooling for immigrants arriving in the city, but he also appealed for additional federal aid. He is part of a coalition of mayors seeking more than $5 billion in aid from the federal government.
Chicago's O'Hare Airport becomes a shelter for migrants, plunging the city into crisis: 'It's like a scene from Mad Max'
“What I have been working on to avoid chaos is to bring some structure and calm to the situation, and without significant support from the federal government this is not sustainable,” Johnson said. .
“I have said repeatedly that we need more resources,” he added.
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”[W]The city of Chicago is not alone in its inability to sustain this mission without significant, substantial investment from the federal government. The whole country is at stake right now,” Johnson said.
