Chicago officers say almost 1500 migrants have arrived from Texas – Longview Information-Journal

CHICAGO — Practically 1,500 migrants have arrived in Chicago from Texas as of Tuesday, metropolis officers mentioned.

The migrants have been bused to Chicago over the past a number of weeks as a part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s promise to ship migrants to sanctuary cities as a solution to criticize the nation’s immigration insurance policies.

Joe Dutra, public affairs director with town’s Division of Household and Help Providers, mentioned in an announcement that as of Tuesday, Chicago has welcomed 1,452 migrants, which embody people, households, kids and infants.

Many have mentioned they’re from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

The migrants are arriving in buses as a part of Abbott’s Operation Lone Star — an effort Abbott launched in response to rising border crossings, which he blames on President Joe Biden’s immigration insurance policies. In keeping with the busing coverage, the rides from Texas to sanctuary cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago are free and voluntary.

Upon arrival right here, migrants are given quick shelter and assist in addition to in-depth case administration and entry to metropolis, county, state and community-based organizations, Dutra mentioned.

“Illinois is a welcoming state,” Dutra mentioned. “We’re dedicated to aiding every household and particular person, offering human companies with respect and dignity.”

Town expects extra folks to reach and can launch updates accordingly, Dutra mentioned.

The primary busload of migrants arrived in Chicago on Aug. 31. Since then, buses with round 100 folks would arrive each few days at Union Station or go straight to the suburbs, comparable to Burr Ridge and Elk Grove Village. From there, they’ve been taken to non permanent housing at locations such because the Salvation Military or native motels.

Earlier this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a catastrophe proclamation to safe sources for the migrants bused to Illinois from Texas and deployed 75 Nationwide Guard members to help with the logistics of receiving the migrants.

Additionally earlier in September, Republican governors escalated their observe of sending migrants with out advance warning to Democratic strongholds, together with the Washington, D.C., house of Vice President Kamala Harris and two flights to Martha’s Winery, the latter paid for by Florida, taunting leaders of immigrant-friendly cities and highlighting their opposition to the Biden administration’s insurance policies.