Democrat Criticizes Migrant Payouts
A Democratic member of the Chicago city council criticized his city’s large payouts to migrants who have come to the Windy City. The comments reflect growing discontent with the migration crisis which started after President Joe Biden took office, as well as frustration within Chicago with Mayor Brandon Johnson (D).
Chicago Ward Alderman Anthony Beale (D) expressed his frustration with city policies that hand over more than $9,000 a month in free programs for migrants. This includes taxpayer dollars being used to offer the illegal aliens free childcare, housing food and more.
Overall, Beale argued that the handouts could be contributing to the migrant crisis.
Chicago is in a 'migrant apocalypse.'
"Every Chicagoan I talk to says they've survived the lockdown, the looting, the violent crime, and now they've got this migrant crisis. They believe it will be the death knell of Chicago. That Chicago is doomed!"
pic.twitter.com/PBWkduBOPZ— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) February 2, 2024
“Now, I’ve said this before. If you give me 3 meals, housing, childcare, education, a voucher for $9,000,” he said.
“You know what? I’d come to Chicago too,” said Beale.
The alderman argued that much of the money spent on the social programs for migrants was being sent back to Chicago. In turn, the official said that migrants send word to others to come to the city by saying “the good times are rolling there. They’re taking care of everybody.”
Beale continued with his comments to the city council. The alderman accused Johnson’s leadership of dealing with a “huge, huge disaster.”
Beale had previously proposed allowing city residents to vote on whether or not the Windy City should remain a sanctuary location for illegal immigrants.
“ Nobody has ever asked the voters, the people who actually vote and pay taxes here in the city of Chicago, if they want to remain a sanctuary city,” he said.
Chicago has taken in many of the migrants who have arrived in the United States over the past several years. However, the city has been more accepting of the migrant wave as compared to resistance from some New York City officials.
Chicago’s city government has provided significant resources to the migrants outside of the benefits listed above. The city received considerable criticism from Black residents for a plan to turn a former high school into a migrant shelter. Some illegal immigrants have been sleeping in the city’s police departments.
