Protests in Chicago and New York City against plans to house hundreds of migrants may be the sign of a larger shift as tens of thousands of illegal immigrants are expected to enter the country due to the end of a pandemic-era policy, Title 42.
Public anger against migrant resettlement has emerged even in some of the deepest reservoirs of Democratic Party support, marking what could be a realignment of public opinion.
In Chicago, South Shore residents protested at a recent meeting against a plan that could see up to 500 migrants being housed at the site of a former high school.
Chicago, a sanctuary city, has declared a state of public emergency due to the wave of migrants entering the city.
The Windy City isn’t the only major Democratic stronghold against migrant resettlement. New York City residents are protesting a similar plan in Staten Island.
Local politicians stated that the plan to house about 300 migrants in a former school had not been properly announced or prepared. Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella (R) called the plan “lunacy in action.”
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) called the plan “unsustainable” and a “slap in the face to taxpayers.”
Several border states have sent migrants into mainly-Democratic parts of the country. During a recent interview with Fox News, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said that the Lone Star State had sent more than 5,000 migrants to New York and 1,600 to Chicago.
The total has been more than 17,000 Abbott said.
He tweeted that the state will “continue to provide this critical support to our overwhelmed Texas border towns until Biden secures the border.”
Texas has bused over 17,000 migrants to sanctuary cities:
▪️ Over 9,200 to DC
▪️ Over 5,700 to NYC
▪️ Over 1,600 to Chicago
▪️ Over 925 to PhiladelphiaWe will continue to provide this critical support to our overwhelmed Texas border towns until Biden secures the border. pic.twitter.com/XugeJwrDHX
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 10, 2023
The expected flow of migrants into the country has already started after the Biden White House announced the end of Title 42. The policy allowed law enforcement to more swiftly deport illegal immigrants.
The flow of migrants has increased sharply since the White House announcement. The policy ended on Thursday.
As a result, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) announced that daily apprehensions had already broken its daily record. In addition, this followed a 25% increase in the number of illegal immigrants detailed in the month of March.
Last year already saw the highest number of observed attempted migrant crossings on record.
