The Chicago City Council recently approved a request for an additional $70 million to deal with the ongoing migrant crisis, a move that has sparked outrage among residents who believe the money should be spent on the community itself. The city has been struggling to cope with a surge in migrants, with an estimated 40,000 arriving since August 2022.
The Chicago Police Department has made more than 1,000 arrests of Venezuelan nationals in the first three months of 2024, according to data analyzed by The Chicago Tribune. The majority of these arrests were for non-violent offenses, such as driving or traffic violations.
The arrest data does not include juveniles or anyone arrested by another agency, and it does not provide information on the immigration status of the arrested individuals. However, the report found that Venezuelans are less likely to be accused of violent crimes, including homicides, compared to other migrant groups.
The proposed $70 million in additional funding is on top of a $150 million already allocated for migrant care in the budget. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office said the city needs to be prepared for any sudden increases in new arrivals sent by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has been busing migrants to sanctuary cities.
The city aims to provide basic necessities, including food, shelter, medical care, education, vaccines, case management, and resettlement support. However, residents argue that the money should be used to address pressing issues within the community, such as homelessness and crime.
The migrant crisis has had significant political implications across the country, as cities grapple with the influx and the best way to respond. In Chicago, the council meeting to approve the extra funding was met with significant backlash, highlighting the ongoing debate over how to balance humanitarian concerns with local priorities.
