It’s not likely to get any better
Thursday, Sep 7, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Yesterday…
Four more buses carrying asylum seekers will land in Chicago today, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson, who accused Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the MAGA world of using migrants as tools as the city prepares to host the Democratic National Convention in 2024.
“This is a direct response from governors, particularly in these red states, that are really trying to call attention to our values,” Johnson told a crowd gathered at the Promontory event center on the South Side for an evening discussion marking his 100-plus days in office. Some 150 buses of asylum seekers have arrived since the conventidon announcement by the Democratic National Committee, said Johnson, ticking off the work that’s been done in recent weeks to help find shelter for the migrants.
Johnson says he has a plan: The city has erected 18 shelters and worked with county and state governments to provide resources. And he said he’ll be “rolling out a stronger presentation” on the “humanitarian endeavor” later this week.
Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Johnson’s deputy chief of staff, said much the same thing last month.
* OK, keep in mind when reading the figures in this next item that the DNC announced Chicago would host the convention on April 11th…
Title 42 expired on May 11th, which also had a lot to do with this.
* From Amnesty International’s report on Venezuela…
Lack of access to economic and social rights remained a serious concern, with the majority of the population experiencing severe food insecurity and unable to access adequate healthcare. The security forces responded with excessive force and other repressive measures to protests, involving various sectors of the population, to demand economic and social rights, including the right to water. Impunity for ongoing extrajudicial executions by the security forces persisted. Intelligence services and other security forces, with the acquiescence of the judicial system, continued to arbitrarily detain, torture and otherwise ill-treat those perceived to be opponents of the government of Nicolás Maduro. A report by the UN Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Venezuela exposed patterns of crimes against humanity and called for investigations into several named government officials. Prison conditions remained a major concern, especially regarding overcrowding and the use of illegal detention centres, as well as access to basic rights such as water and food. Despite the adoption of legal reforms regarding the administration of justice, access to the right to truth and reparations for victims of human rights violations remained a challenge. Between 240 and 310 people remained arbitrarily detained on political grounds. The state’s repressive policies targeted journalists, independent media and human rights defenders. Illegal mining and violence threatened Indigenous peoples’ rights in the Orinoco Mining Arc. Abortion was still criminalized in almost all circumstances. Violence against women persisted, despite the existing legal framework. There was no progress in ensuring the rights of LGBTI people. By the end of the year more than 7.1 million Venezuelans had fled the country.
* Inflation has been a gigantic problem…
In 2014, the annual inflation rate reached 69%, the highest in the world. In 2015, the inflation rate was 181%, again the highest in the world and the highest in the country’s history at the time. The rate reached 800% in 2016, over 4,000% in 2017, and about 1,700,000% in 2018, and reaching 2,000,000%, with Venezuela spiraling into hyperinflation. While the Venezuelan government “had essentially stopped” producing official inflation estimates as of early 2018, inflation economist Steve Hanke estimated the rate at that time to be 5,220%. The Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) officially estimates that the inflation rate increased to 53,798,500% between 2016 and April 2019. In April 2019, the International Monetary Fund estimated that inflation would reach 10,000,000% by the end of 2019.
…Adding… Good point in comments…
Seems like a tactical blunder to tie the needed federal funding to the DNCC. Makes it much harder for Biden to get the $$$ here because it gives opponents an easy talking point: he’s only funding this to get rid of a problem before his convention. Stick with the humanitarian case/federal responsibility here.
- Homebody - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:19 am:
Seems to me that the refugee asylum seeker problem needs to be addressed federally. As long as they are able to be used as political weapons, it will always be a mess.
I get the idea of federalism and local control and whatnot (both at the State v. Federal, and also at the local v. state levels), but it regularly creates problems where an individual body (whether a specific state or a specific town) is forced to deal with issues that really should have the burden spread out farther.
- Torco Sign - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:20 am:
It’s so lame to try tying the migrants to the DNC. Chicago has always been a target but so have other cities without the convention.
- NotRich - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:22 am:
Again: immigration a national issue.. but.. it sure was easy for these lib politicians to grandstand years ago about Chicago being a sanctuary city when the problem was thousands of miles away.. red state Gov’s calling your bluff now b
- West Side Ghost - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:25 am:
The Mayor and his team once again featuring their amateurness. All talk, no plan, no action.
- Jocko - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:26 am:
This whole thing has been (and continues to be) ugly. What’s to stop us from filling the bus with homeless people for the return trip?
Pritzker should get on TV and say to Abbott, “See you in church.”
- /s - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:27 am:
===red state Gov’s calling your bluff===
Except that anyone who actually believes in sanctuary cities and, more importantly, the rights of asylum seekers has been pushing for more federal aid for this problem regardless of where it was located, including and especially at the border. And note that no one in Chicago or other sanctuary cities is, for instance, bussing these people back to Texas or erecting murderous barricades to try to stop the busses from arriving.
Also “oh noes now you must actually live your values” isn’t really the burn you seem to think it is.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:27 am:
“Mayor Brandon Johnson…MAGA world”
Where exactly is that world Mr. Mayor?
- Immigrants Welcome - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:33 am:
Seems like a tactical blunder to tie the needed federal funding to the DNCC. Makes it much harder for Biden to get the $$$ here because it gives opponents an easy talking point: he’s only funding this to get rid of a problem before his convention. Stick with the humanitarian case/federal responsibility here.
- Google Is Your Friend - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:34 am:
- NotRich - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:22 am:
How many southern border congressional districts are represented by Republicans versus Democrats? Until the most recent redistricting cycle, there was just a single Republican representing a southern border district. When border communities have their say, it’s not a clear cut partisan issue. Maybe you should take their lead and wise up.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/us/politics/will-hurd-border-wall-trump.html
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:39 am:
The Democrats from the 1990s and early 00’s called with a suggestion: control the border. People forget that back then it was liberals who were against quasi-open borders (because of the effect on the poor and working class) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce/Koch Bros/Grover Norquist GOP fighting them.
Look, Biden should send more resources, but he should also be doing more at the border, if for no other reason than to help diffuse the political issue and discourage more people from risking their lives to get here. The Democrats have such a tin ear when it comes to this issue - people just want to be in control of our immigration, whatever it takes, full stop. You can rightly talk about the “here and now” problem but ignoring the root of the problem is only going to make things worse (does anyone think this is hurting Abbott politically in Texas or among the GOP base?)
- Frida's boss - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:39 am:
The reality of life in Venezuela is staggering and heartbreaking.
The Govt of Venezuela has been controlled by the United Socialists Party since 2010.
CTU delegation took a trip there in 2019 claiming they saw no homeless population, praised all of the Socialist policies of communes and literacy rates. The US has higher literacy rates but whatever moves the agenda right?
DSA has frequently talked about solidarity with Venezuela and its National Socialist Governance.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:40 am:
===Makes it much harder for Biden to get the $$$ here because it gives opponents an easy talking point===
Good point.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:42 am:
“are really trying to call attention to our values”
Oh, That’s happening.
Every empty church auditorium is calling attention to their values.
The burden now falls on the state/city because of the complete and abject failure of groups who have pretended this was their entire mission - until it actually was.
No matter how bad it gets, it’s still going to be better than the absolutely nothing being done by those groups who have put up a facade of caring.
- City Guy - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:43 am:
Chicago has always been an important port of entry for undocumented immigrants. I don’t fully understand why the Venezuelan refugee crisis is so different.
One possibility is there is not an existing Venezuelan community large enough to absorb the immigrants. Where as the Mexican and Central American population are large enough.
A second thought is the red state governors’ actions have changed the process. The refugees are being treated as wards of the state. And they are arriving in large numbers to a few locations based on politics rather than being spread out to places they may have connections.
Another issue is I have not heard of any major refugee assistance organization being involved in resettlement. (This may be my ignorance.) But I remember in the past when there was big surges of refugees like Vietnamese, Ethiopians and Yugoslavians, there were “refugee non-profits” who worked with churches and non-profits to settle people around the country.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:44 am:
===CTU delegation took a trip there===
Asked on WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight” last week about “some controversy” surrounding the excursion, union President Jesse Sharkey said: “Members go all kinds of places in the summer. This was neither an official trip nor something that was funded by the union. This is a group of people who are members of the CTU who decided to go to Venezuela.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-chicago-teachers-union-venezuela-trip-20190819-tbpa3lhjifduxgupdxfs3mosr4-story.html
- illinifan - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:46 am:
This is a federal problem as immigration policies are controlled at that level. That said, as long as each side has a talking point to campaign on there is no incentive on either side to change the rules.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:53 am:
Again, if the bus drivers were detained / arrested & ISP did bus safety inspections (like they did for Farm Progress), this would stop right quick. No one would want to drive, and betting some of the buses have safety “issues” … .
- Gravitas - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 10:54 am:
Chicago has been a sanctuary city since Mayor Harold Washington’s first term. I was acquainted with some people employed by the INS (later renamed ICE) and the complained about how much more difficult their jobs were due to the lack of cooperation from Chicago.
Had Brandon Johnson openly discussed his plans and programs concerning immigrants during the 2023 campaign, he may not have been elected.
Every neighborhood has been impacted by the migrants.
- Red headed step child - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 11:05 am:
Finger pointing over, this is,a humanitarian issue, not a political one and it won’t change until DC makes a change. Status quo cant continue..
- Steve - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 11:10 am:
The first problem to deal with is amnesty status. These buses are now full of migrants who are now here legally. The law needs to be changed. Amnesty applicants should start at embassies outside of the United States. You can’t expect Texas or Illinois to takes everyone who wants to come to America. The U.S. is staring at a 2 trillion dollar deficit. Most of these refugees have no assets and don’t speak English.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 11:41 am:
=was easy for these lib politicians=
Communicate like an adult next time.
=Where exactly is that world Mr. Mayor?=
Mainly in the heads of the people I see flying trump flags and Biden sucks flags I guess.
To the post- immigration (legal or otherwise) on our southern border has been an issue soine the 1970’s. I have yet to see an administration that handled it effectively.
That said, every state has some kind of issue that can be looked at as national in nature. Most just don’t intentionally truck the problem to other states to create problems there. So, for the supporters and those cheering the actions of abbott, will you cheer if Chicago and Illinois bus violent gun toting offenders (they don’t need to be convicted of anything) to Texas and Florida since they do not seem interested in helping us with our gun violence issue? You shouldn’t, but that is what you are doing now, and gun violence is undeniably a national problem and Texas and Florida (along with some southern and central Illinois towns) have declared themselves gun sanctuaries.
I mean, isn’t it a goose and gander situation? /s
- John Lopez - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 11:44 am:
Congressman Bill Foster & Congresswoman Lauren Underwood suggested on WBBM radio to send migrants to the suburbs (but not without federal funds).
https://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/local/suburbs-could-do-more-to-help-with-migrant-influx-officials
Wouldn’t be surprised if this happens, but first stop should be city of Naperville (both sides of the county line), the home town to both Foster & Underwood.
- Betty Draper’s cigarette - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 11:50 am:
===about Chicago being a sanctuary city===
Sanctuary city only means the police won’t turn over people to ICE unless ICE asks. Since these are legal asylum seekers ICE won’t ask for them. So it’s irrelevant whether they are in sanctuary cities or not.
- Betty Draper’s cigarette - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 11:57 am:
=== The first problem to deal with is amnesty status.===
The law covering this is the Hart–Celler Act 1965. Until Congress changes the law, the government must abide by the law.
=== Most of these refugees have no assets and don’t speak English.===
They probably don’t have assets now, after staying here with no means to support themselves. Most of the adults have strong backs and strong hands and will be able to support themselves when/if they get their work visas. In the long run refugees make the host country prosperous.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 12:15 pm:
“but first stop should be city of Naperville”
Sure. There’s a huge megachurch on rt59 that could hold enough people to populate a small town.
They must all be on vacation this week though, because not a peep is coming out of them on this issue.
- Betty Draper’s cigarette - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 12:17 pm:
===but first stop should be city of Naperville (both sides of the county line), the home town to both Foster & Underwood.===
Since many are from Venezuela and many Venezuelans worked in the oil industry, wouldn’t it make more sense for them to go to areas that have a lot of oil refineries so they can be ready to go when their work visas come in? How many oil refineries does Naperville have?
- JS Mill - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 12:18 pm:
=Sure. There’s a huge megachurch on rt59 that could hold enough people to populate a small town.=
And then there is the catholic church. What gives with them?
- Proud Sucker - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 12:48 pm:
“…but first stop should be city of Naperville (both sides of the county line), the home town to both Foster & Underwood.”
Psst. They are already here. My MIL’s church in N’ville (not the mega-type) is currently heosting 10 families. With some more $, they could help more. That is pretty much what Underwood and Foster said.
- Annon3 - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 12:59 pm:
If only the federal government could figure out how to fast track the applications so they could work. City, suburbs and even downstate would be falling over themselves to have them fill the empty jobs.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 2:06 pm:
And then there is the catholic church. What gives with them?
“as thousands of families began arriving in Chicago seeking asylum, Catholic Charities was on the ground doing intakes and providing case management…Those efforts continue as Catholic Charities.. Over $500,000 has been raised so far, McGhee said. As part of the sponsorship, parishes can apply for $10,000 grants to help them cover six months of rent for families and accompany them in their journey to get settled”
https://www.chicagocatholic.com/chicagoland/-/article/2023/08/02/catholic-charities-continues-to-assist-families-seeking-asylum
- supplied_demand - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 2:14 pm:
==I don’t fully understand why the Venezuelan refugee crisis is so different. ==
Because these people are seeking asylum status and cannot work until they have had their asylum hearing. The hearings take many months before they are held. This has been widely reported.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 2:16 pm:
===This has been widely reported.===
Yes, it has. And since most are following the rules, they’re completely dependent on charity.
- Gravitas - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 4:31 pm:
New York Mayor Eric Adams seems to have an entirely different take on this crisis than does Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Listening to radio program, I heard that Chicago means to house 190 migrants in a hostel with an occupancy limit of 130.
This is going to be a real challenge for public officials and policymakers.
- Mayo Sandwich - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 5:31 pm:
=== If only the federal government could figure out how to fast track the applications so they could work. City, suburbs and even downstate would be falling over themselves to have them fill the empty jobs.===
Where is Congress? There aren’t enough people to get the work permits out. The Federal government could hire more people but need the funding from Congress.