Chicago Residents Outraged by Taxpayer Funding for Illegal Immigrants, Call for Republican Takeover
Chicago, IL – A growing number of Chicago residents are expressing outrage over the city’s allocation of taxpayer funds to support illegal immigrants, prompting calls for the traditionally Democrat-run city to be taken over by Republicans.
Taxpayers Bearing the Burden
"The taxpayers are paying and funding this illegal migrant crisis," said South-Side resident Danielle Carter. "It’s not fair to us because they are taking our resources. They are spending our tax dollars on people who crossed the border illegally."
Carter, a member of the Chicago Flips Red group, emphasized that illegal immigrants should be deported and only allowed to re-enter the country legally.
Surge in Illegal Immigration
Since August 2022, the city of Chicago estimates that over 51,000 illegal immigrants from the southern border have arrived at its doorstep. This influx has strained city resources and exacerbated an already strained budget.
Proposed Tax Hike and Spending Disparity
Chicago residents have expressed frustration over a proposed tax hike to address the city’s budget deficit while the city spends more than half a billion dollars on sheltering migrants.
"We continue to spend more because of this. It’s unconstitutional. It’s wrong. This is unfair. American citizens have put too much into the United States, into this nation, for us not to even have a say," said Zoe Leigh, another member of Chicago Flips Red.
Call for Deportation and a Democratic Process
Patricia "P Rae" Easley, founder of the group Chicago Red, advocated for a democratic process to decide whether local authorities should collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport illegal immigrants.
"They should have given us the opportunity to vote for it. Just a simple yes or no question. Should we remain a sanctuary city? They didn’t want to give that to us. The fact of the matter is, the Chicagoans have never, ever, ever voted for this sanctuary city ordinance," said Easley.
City Council Blocks ICE Cooperation Proposal
The city council recently rejected a proposal that would have granted local law enforcement authority to assist ICE in apprehending migrants with criminal records.
Mayor Rejects ICE Cooperation
Mayor Brandon Johnson released guidelines outlining how city officials should handle ICE visits on city property, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to a "welcoming city ordinance."
Residents Offer Cooperation with ICE
Despite the mayor’s stance, Carter and other residents stated their willingness to report illegal immigrants to the authorities.
"We’re on the ground. We have our boots on the ground. So, the people in the neighborhood are willing and ready to work with Tom Homan and ICE," said Carter.
Prioritizing Citizens over Migrants
Democrat Cata Truss criticized city leaders for prioritizing the care of illegal immigrants over citizens, citing the city’s homeless population.
"You’ve even laid out the red carpet in terms of funding for them. Yet your people are still suffering. We had a homeless problem here in the city of Chicago before the migrants ever got here. And so you’re putting them up in hotels and finding nice places for them to stay," she said.
City Officials’ Response
Chicago officials have operated temporary shelters for homeless people and migrants, including churches, hotels, and warehouses. The city has also consolidated shelters in an attempt to save taxpayer money.
The mayor’s office has not yet responded to a request for comment.
