Chicago is preparing for a significant number of migrants set to arrive just as the city readies to host the Democratic National Convention, though expectations for the influx have been scaled back.
The Windy City’s mayor assures that the incoming migrants will not interfere with the convention despite financial strains and previous high arrival numbers, as the Daily Mail reports.
Chicago is bracing for the arrival of new migrants in the lead-up to the Democratic National Convention, though the anticipated surge has decreased from earlier projections. Initially, Mayor Brandon Johnson had prepared for the possibility of up to 25,000 migrant arrivals, but the current expectations are far lower.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office confirmed that buses filled with migrants are en route to Chicago. This follows a pattern seen over the last two years, during which over 46,500 migrants have entered the city. As of January, Texas has been responsible for transporting approximately 31,000 of those migrants to Chicago.
The mayor’s office has indicated that the new arrivals will not impact the convention's schedule, a sentiment echoed by migrant advocate Andre Gordillo, who acknowledged that while the influx is significant, it is not expected to disrupt the event.
Abbott’s office has maintained that Texas will continue sending migrants to sanctuary cities like Chicago to alleviate pressure on its border towns. A spokesperson for the governor emphasized that this practice will persist until the federal government takes more decisive action to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.
Texas has also sent over 10,000 migrants to other sanctuary cities, including New York, Denver, and Washington, D.C. Chicago, in particular, has seen its taxpayers bear a considerable financial burden, with nearly $150 million spent on migrant-related expenses since August 2022.
The ongoing migrant bussing has been a contentious issue, with Chicago and other sanctuary cities grappling with the challenges of accommodating these individuals while managing their own resources.
Despite the challenges, the number of migrants arriving in Chicago has decreased in recent months, with administration officials crediting an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in June. According to Gordillo, this order has been instrumental in reducing the flow of migrants, though it is currently being contested in court.
Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicates that encounters at southwest border ports of entry dropped by 29 percent from May to June. This reduction has been most pronounced since early 2024, with fewer migrants crossing the border compared to earlier in the year or last fall. The decline in arrivals offers some relief to Chicago, which has struggled to manage the influx. However, the city remains vigilant as it prepares for the potential arrival of additional migrants in the weeks leading up to the Democratic National Convention.
The financial impact of the migrant influx has been substantial for Chicago, with taxpayers spending nearly $150 million on related expenses over the past two years. This significant outlay has raised concerns about the city’s ability to continue providing services to both residents and migrants.
As the city prepares to host the Democratic National Convention, there are ongoing debates about the sustainability of its current approach to managing the migrant situation. While the reduced number of arrivals provides some breathing room, the financial strain remains a critical issue.
Mayor Johnson has expressed confidence that the city will be able to handle the situation without disrupting the convention. However, the long-term implications of the migrant influx and the financial burden on Chicago taxpayers continue to be a topic of concern.
