Chicago citizens have expressed their dissatisfaction with the city's handling of the illegal immigration crisis, a situation they attribute to President Joe Biden's flawed border policies.
During a recent City Council meeting, residents voiced their discontent to the city's elected officials, who they believe have let them down.
The Gateway Pundit has reported that two Chicago Aldermen, Anthony Napolitano of the 41st Ward and Anthony Beale of the 9th Ward, have proposed a resolution. This resolution, if passed, would place a referendum on the March 2024 primary ballot, asking voters if Chicago should maintain its status as a sanctuary city.
"Do you as a resident of the City of Chicago believe that we should remain a sanctuary city?" Napolitano asked at the meeting. The crowd's response was a vehement "No!" accompanied by boos and jeers.
According to Fox32, the predominantly African-American crowd filled the City Council gallery, with hundreds more gathered on the first floor, held back by police officers. The crowd's anger stemmed from the city's decision to spend millions of dollars on housing migrants, funds they believe should be allocated to aid Chicagoans in impoverished neighborhoods.
"We're spending a lot of money. We're spending a lot of money every single day," said 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale. "I think up to $40 million a month, ladies and gentlemen. We're up to $40 million dollars a month."
The crowd's ire was further fueled by attempts by Mayor Brandon Johnson's former floor leader, 35th Ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, to obstruct a special meeting held last week to discuss the sanctuary city referendum. Ramirez-Rosa attempted to prevent a quorum and even physically blocked veteran Alderwoman Emma Mitts from entering the chamber. Despite the protestors' refusal to leave, the meeting was eventually suspended.
The city's financial resources are being stretched thin as it struggles to manage the situation. In May, the City Council approved an additional $51 million in aid for illegal immigrants, and the costs continue to rise.
Several communities have taken legal action against the city for its handling of the crisis. Residents in the Ukrainian Village community are suing to halt the conversion of a privately owned building in their neighborhood into a shelter for up to 200 illegal immigrants.
They argue that the city illegally bypassed zoning and building permit regulations to convert the building. In September, residents in the South Shore neighborhood filed a lawsuit to prevent the city from housing illegal immigrants in public buildings such as police stations and schools.
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