Chicago, a sanctuary city led by a Democratic mayor who is supported by a Democratic governor, reportedly signed a $29 million contract with the security firm Garda World to build multiple holding centers for immigrants.
The move comes as Chicago is plagued with violent crime, drug use and thousands of illegal immigrants who’ve crossed the southern border in recent months.
Police note that vehicle thefts are up 227% since 2019. Murder rates are up 20% over the past four years and robberies are up 30%.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s multimillion dollar move is a response to residents who have demanded city leaders stop letting asylum seekers in the state, according to the Daily Caller.
Johnson recently informed city leaders that managing the influx of illegal immigrants could exceed $300,000,000.
Many have criticized Chicago’s sanctuary city status and the Biden administration’s open border policies. Some are unhappy that Johnson has pushed for a $29,000,000 initiative when immigrants continue to pour across the southern border and into the Windy City at a time when it is projecting a $538 million budget shortfall.
Johnson reportedly finalized the contract with the controversial Garda World firm last week. The firm plans to build at least six locations across the city, each holding between 200 and 1,400 immigrants. The new facilities will provide bedding, laundry, showers, three meals a day and security.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the Garda World firm will reportedly be responsible for coordinating “emergency logistics management and operation services that will set up shelter … and other necessary services (also called ‘a base camp’ or ‘solution’)” for immigrants.
Chicago’s mayor has faced growing hostility from area residents. “I want to know if there is a capacity limit and what is that limit if there is one?” a resident asked at a community event this week, adding, “And why can’t we close the borders of Chicago or the state of Illinois in the first place?”
Government data indicates that 13,000 migrants have come to Chicago — a city of 3,000,000, since August 2022. In contrast, RTM recently reported that more than 3,000 immigrants have poured into Eagle Pass, a southern border town of 30,000, in the last week.
During a recent city council meeting, Alderman Ronnie Mosley blamed the federal government for letting asylum seekers in the country and Texas, which he said “is making the decision to send them to Chicago.”
Johnson defended the contract, arguing it was a way to move migrants who were temporarily housed at police stations and the airport. “The base camps will be incorporated into the City’s toolbox for temporary shelters and provide a safe, short-term space with access to immediate care and resources,” said Johnson.
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