Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called on the federal government to fast-track work permits for asylum-seekers, saying America's third-largest city is running out of resources to care for a growing migrant population that has already hit the 13,000 mark.
"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," Johnson said during a Wednesday news conference."This change would be a commonsense measure that would provide greater opportunities for arrivals, immigrants, to build their lives here in the state of Illinois.
Johnson's remarks came on the eve of the anniversary of the first busload of immigrants arriving in Chicago from Texas. Also present at the press conference were Gov. J.B. Pritzker , Sen. Dick Durbin , and other Democratic members of the state's congressional delegation. He and the others have called on the Biden administration to allow cities and states to sponsor work permits for immigrants who have newly arrived in the country, as well as ones who have been living in America illegally to facilitate industries facing labor shortages, such as manufacturing, construction, hospitality, and healthcare.
"I think if we have the looming threat of deportation for anyone who engages in gang, drug, prostitution, or anything else more egregious — you know, hopefully, that will deter some of the bad behavior that we're seeing," he said on CBS News Chicago.
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