EXCLUSIVEChicago could see THOUSANDS of illegal migrants bussed in ahead of the Democratic National Convention
Long a hot spot for migrants who cross into the U.S. illegally, Chicago is bracing for a wave of migrants ahead of the town hosting the Democratic National Convention.
In recent weeks Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration floated that the city could expect up to 25,000 migrant arrivals around the time of the convention.
Though that expectation has lessened dramatically, the city is still expecting to receive fresh migrant arrivals - and Texas Governor Greg Abbott's office is confirming that buses are coming.
'Until President Biden and Border Czar Harris step up and do their jobs to secure the border, Texas will continue busing migrants to sanctuary cities across the country like Chicago to provide much-needed relief to our overwhelmed border towns,' a spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told DailyMail.com.
Busses used to warm migrants are parked in front of the 'designated landing zone', an area that the city uses for receiving migrants being bussed up from Texas, on January 30, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. The city anticipated the arrival of 25,000 migrants ahead of the DNC but that number is actually expected to be around 750 - 1,000
Speaking at a press conference recently, Mayor Johnson noted how currently Chicago is hosting roughly 5,600 migrants in local shelters.
Many of these recent arrivals have been bussed into the city from busy border crossing points in Texas.
Pleading directly to Abbott, Johnson said at a press conference: 'We certainly hope that Gov. Abbott finds Jesus Christ, his lord and savior, and [doesn't] do that.'
However, local shelters are expecting scores to arrive ahead of the Democratic National Convention, though a far cry from the city's estimation of 25,000.
'We realistically expect 750-1,000 new arrivals next week, if that.' Andre Gordillo, Director of New Vecinos Program, a migrant support group, told DailyMail.com.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will continue bussing migrants to sanctuary cities like Chicago, a spokesman told DailyMail.com
Venezuelan migrants load onto a bus in Chicago after recently arriving to the city
The Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago is expected to bring up to 50,000 visitors to the city
Gordillo said the amount of new arrivals expected is 'a lot' but he does not believe the new migrant arrivals 'will impact the run-of-show for the DNC.'
'Although I know it'll be a big talking point,' he added.
Over 46,500 migrants have made their way to the sanctuary city of Chicago in under two years, city data shows.
As of January, Texas was responsible for bussing roughly 31,000 of those migrants to the Windy City.
The Lone Star State's initiative has also sent over 10,000 migrants to other sanctuary cities like New York, Denver and Washington, D.C.
The increased influx of migrants fresh from the border has also weighed heavily on Chicago's finances.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivers remarks at a stage unveiling ahead of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center. His administration expected up to 25,000 migrant arrivals around the time of the convention
Workers set up fencing around the United Center to prepare for the DNC
The city's taxpayers have dolled out just under $150 million on migrant-related expenses since August 2022, city data shows.
But the amount of migrants arriving has been trending down, Gordillo told DailyMail.com.
'The reduced numbers of new arrivals are due to an Executive Order signed by President Biden in June.'
'While that order is being challenged in court, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports encounters at the southwest border ports of entry are down 29 percent from May to June.'
'So we haven't seen the thousands crossing over the border like earlier in the year or last fall.'
