Chicago has joined the list of Democrat-led cities to which Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is sending buses of migrants. While Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has greeted migrants arriving with open arms, the program doesn’t come without controversy as Lightfoot blasted the plan as “racist.”
“This is such an important moment for Chicago as our city has been a sanctuary for thousands of newcomers. We are welcoming them and we will not turn our backs on those who need our help the most,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “Unfortunately, Texas Governor Greg Abbott is without any shame or humanity. But ever since he put these racist practices of expulsion in place, we have been working with our community partners to ready the city to receive these individuals.”
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office confirmed 75 migrants arrived on buses last night. Authorities did not specify the immigrants’ countries of origin nor did officials say when the migrants arrived in the U.S. However, the city estimates most of the migrants come from Venezuela and have been traveling for months.
“The most difficult part of our trek was being in the jungle,” one man said in Spanish. “We planned to be there for two days, we ended up being there for four, and then ran out of food. It was psychological torture but it was all worth it.”
In confirming the buses of migrants going to Chicago, Abbott described the trip as a solution to what he called President Biden’s “open border policies overwhelming border communities in Texas.”
“Mayor Lightfoot loves to tout the responsibility of her city to welcome all regardless of legal status,” the statement continued, “and I look forward to seeing this responsibility in action as these migrants receive resources from a sanctuary city with the capacity to serve them.”
Estimates vary on how many individuals have been transported through the program, with most putting the number between 8,000 and 9,000. The Biden Administration has not commented directly on the program, but officials in both Washington and New York have called on the federal government to provide assistance and to help coordinate efforts to help those being bused from Texas.
