Reporter William Kelly says Brandon Johnson has become the ‘migrants’ mayor’
Chicago officials are encountering criticism due to the presence of hundreds of migrants being accommodated at O’Hare International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States.
During a recent interview on “Fox & Friends,” Chicago reporter William Kelly shed light on the challenges the city has been facing due to the increasing number of migrants.
As of now, it is reported that over 400 migrants are being sheltered in a designated area of the airport, concealed from public view by black curtains. This represents a significant increase from the 31 migrants who were there at the beginning of August.
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Kelly pointed out that O’Hare Airport is just one of 18 migrant shelters in Chicago, and homeless Americans are no longer allowed to seek refuge there. The city had previously grappled with an influx of homeless individuals at the airport but implemented stricter measures earlier this year in response to criticism directed at then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
He added, “Mayor Johnson campaigned as the people’s mayor, but unfortunately, people are telling me that he’s prioritizing migrants over the citizens.”
Kelly expressed concern that the same level of security and background checks that American travelers go through at airports may not necessarily apply to migrants. Meanwhile, Chicago continues to grapple with issues like crime and the recovery from the impact of coronavirus lockdowns.
He also raised questions about the allocation of funds for the migrant crisis, stating, “There are significant amounts of money being spent on addressing this migrant situation, but there is a lack of transparency regarding where the funds are going and how they are being utilized.”
Kelly expressed frustration with the lack of responsiveness from the mayor, stating, “Regrettably, Mayor Johnson seems to have adopted Mayor Lightfoot’s approach to media relations, as he refuses to address my inquiries.”
He characterized the situation as deeply troubling, remarking, “This crisis is deeply disturbing in every aspect.”
Furthermore, Kelly provided a vivid description of the challenges posed by the migrant crisis, saying, “One of the migrant shelters in Chicago is located directly across the street from my building on Michigan Avenue. When I look out the window, it’s akin to scenes from the movie Mad Max unfolding daily.”
Vianney Marzullo, a prominent volunteer with the Police Station Response Team advocacy group, informed the Chicago Sun-Times that O’Hare Airport is primarily serving as a temporary holding facility for incoming flights carrying migrants.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Chicago is still grappling with the challenge of accommodating the growing number of migrants arriving in the city. Since August, approximately 14,000 migrants have been transported to Chicago via bus.
Presently, there are 15 shelters in operation across the city, providing support and accommodations for asylum seekers. Additionally, another shelter is expected to open next month on the South Side of Chicago to further address the needs of migrants in the area.