Chicago officials are demanding help from the federal government after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration revealed its plans to fly more migrants into the city, NBC Chicago’s Lexi Sutter reports.
Editor's Note: The video above is from a previous report.
The city of Aurora Friday will hold a special meeting to discuss unplanned buses full of migrants arriving from Texas, an announcement from the city said.
According to the announcement, as many as five buses arrived in the western suburb of Aurora this week.
"Beginning this week, busses carrying migrants from the State of Texas began to arrive in Aurora," the announcement said. "Passengers on these buses disembarked at the Aurora Transportation Center and were encouraged to board Metra trains to Chicago."
Officials during the meeting Friday are expected to discuss a proposed ordinance that would require transportation companies to notify Aurora's community services department at least five days prior to a bus arrival "for approval to allow passengers to disembark in Aurora."
Approval would only be granted if the department is presented with a detailed plan on how the migrants will be dropped off, cared for, housed and fed, the announcement adds.
"Persons who make unscheduled / unpermitted drop-offs will be subject to a fine, and their buses will be subject to forfeiture under the City code," the announcement continues.
Local
According to officials, the proposed ordinance would help ensure the safety of migrants and refugees who are transported to to Aurora without prior arrangements.
"The City of Aurora is not equipped to handle an influx of multiple busloads of persons arriving each day, nor, given the time of year, is it acceptable for persons to simply be 'dropped off' at a Metra station with few personal items, seasonally inappropriate attire, and no access to services," officials said in the announcement. "In fact, doing so puts the health and safety of these passengers at great risk."
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter.
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is expected to hold a media availability following the meeting, which takes place at 12 p.m.
Aurora's special council meeting comes as Chicago officials continue to grapple with an influx of migrants arriving on buses, and now planes, after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration revealed its plans to fly more migrants into the city.
The latest arrivals came to Chicago without the city knowing about it in advance, escalating an already tenuous situation with Texas officials, and incurred the ire of the City Council.
“We demand the federal government, local government, state government, work together to save lives,” Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez said.
“I support the call for additional resources from the federal government. That is essential,” Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia added.
Video shot, edited and sent to NBC 5 by Abbott’s administration shows more than 100 migrants boarding a jet in El Paso that landed in Chicago this week.
“We find ourselves in this condition because of people like the governor of Texas, are engaged in human trafficking, spending billions of dollars to cause hurt and to cause political divisions,” Garcia said.
The crisis shows no signs of slowing down.
Four buses arrived Wednesday in Chicago and another seven were expected Thursday. Right now, more than 14,000 migrants are living in 27 city shelters. Plus, another 216 migrants are living at O’Hare, awaiting placement in a temporary shelter.
“26,000 migrants have come to Chicago since last year,” Nino Brown said, a community activist. “The federal government has failed to step up to provide support to places like Chicago and New York City.”
