The Democratic stronghold of Chicago is fighting back against a new influx of illegal immigrants being relocated into their neighborhoods.
Tensions boiled over last week when more than 200 residents filled an emergency community meeting to express their outrage over the city’s most recent plan to relocate up to 300 illegal immigrants to the Chicago Lake Shore Hotel.
Pastor Corey Brooks, executive director of Project H.O.O.D, a Chicago-based nonprofit seeking to end violence through individual empowerment, says that he believes it is “criminal” that officials are using limited resources that could go toward helping ease the crime and poverty of its own citizens on new immigrants who are illegally entering the country.
“A lot of people are feeling like when we voice concerns about violence and economic issues, these city officials tell us there is no money available, but now that the migrants are here, they are finding millions and millions of dollars,” Mr. Brooks told The Epoch Times.
“It’s a slap in the face.”
In May, the Chicago City Council announced that $51 million in financial aid from the budget would go toward addressing the flood of immigrants.
During the Aug. 30 meeting city, staff members and elected officials took turns trying to explain how the newcomers would be cared for and supervised, which included medical assistance and new curfew rules. However, officials were often interrupted or booed in mid-sentence.
“I don’t want them there! Take them someplace else or send them back to Venezuela. I don’t care where they go,“ shouted resident Doris Lewis, according to footage acquired by Fox 5. ”This is wrong. You got 73 percent of the people that are homeless in the city are black people; what have you done for them?”
Other residents threatened that if the city didn’t act, they would take the law into their own hands.
“They disrespect us, rob us, harass us,” one woman said to ABC 7 Chicago. “We’re gonna take over. Nobody is gonna be able to stop us from what we’re gonna do to them.”
The Windy City has been plagued by violence. Over the Labor Day weekend, at least 42 people were shot, seven fatally, including a 13-year-old boy who was critically injured, police said. As of Aug. 31, Chicago police claim to have responded to 1,677 shootings and 418 homicides.
Mr. Brooks said he has witnessed firsthand how the influx of illegal immigrants has contributed to the crime wave.
“Just come to our neighborhood. I can show you where they are buying drugs and participating in some criminal acts that you won’t believe,” said Mr. Brooks. “You can’t put a bunch of impoverished people into an impoverished community and then act surprised when they contribute to the crime.”
‘Put Our Own People First’
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city is reaching a breaking point and needs federal help.“Let me state this clearly: The city of Chicago cannot go on welcoming new arrivals safely and capably without significant support and immigration policy changes,” Mr. Johnson told reporters at a news conference last Wednesday. “The feds haven’t sent any money.”
Residents have already been informed that despite their pleas, the illegal immigrants will begin moving into the hotel as early as Friday. So long as immigrants continue to come into the country illegally, the crisis will only continue to grow worse, according to Mr. Brooks.
“This won’t and can’t be resolved until the border is secure,” said Mr. Brooks. “These people aren’t only jumping ahead of those who are trying to enter our country legally, they are jumping ahead of the people here in Chicago.
“It’s about time that we put our own people first.”
