Natalie Frank, Ph.D.
NewsBreak Contributor
Emergency situation created when dozens of migrants dropped 60 miles from Chicago and abandoned in cold without essentials
Dozens of migrants found themselves stranded at a Kankakee gas station, misled by their bus driver who erroneously claimed they had arrived in Chicago. The Kankakee County Sheriff’s office responded to a call at 7:30 a.m. to find groups of migrants, lacking essentials, left in the cold after a journey from El Paso, Texas.
Law enforcement arranged transportation to Midway Airport, yet authorities are still searching for those responsible. The sheriff’s office filed an emergency declaration due to limited resources, echoing concerns raised in Chicago. The department urges residents to report suspicious bus activity in Kankakee County.
The situation mirrors challenges faced by other Chicago suburbs. Aurora City Council discusses an ordinance addressing unscheduled bus stops, emphasizing safety for transported migrants. The proposal requires advance notification, preventing the unprepared drop-offs witnessed in Kankakee.
Adding complexity, a private plane from Texas, chartered by the Emergency Management Department, landed at O’Hare Airport, leaving around 100 migrants. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, critical of Chicago’s response, announced an expansion of operations to include flights.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson criticized Abbott for shipping people, citing a 5-year-old’s death in a migrant shelter. The White House condemned Abbott’s actions, alleging disregard for human safety. Amidst these challenges, Chicago endeavors to accommodate asylum seekers in its shelters.