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* Late last month…
City officials are bracing for up to 25,000 new migrants arriving between now and the Democratic National Convention after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he would keep busing people here.
Why it matters: The city struggled to accommodate just 15,000 last winter, and the potential deluge could double that number if it materializes.
Catch up quick: On the third night of the Republican National Convention last week, Abbott told supporters: “We have continued busing migrants to sanctuary cities across the entire country, and those buses will continue to roll until we finally secure our border.”
What they’re saying: “We’ve looked at estimates of 20,000 to 25,000 people arriving,” deputy mayor for immigration Beatriz Ponce de León tells Axios.
The logistics of such a huge push seemed rather implausible at the time. Also, the fact that the city has impounded at least one bus used to transport migrants may have added to the deterrence.
* Sun-Times this afternoon…
But two days into the convention that has drawn thousands to Chicago, there’s been no evidence of any buses transporting migrants to the city, according to city officials. In fact, the last time a bus arrived in the Chicagoland area was June 17, according to the city’s Department of Family and Support Services.
On Tuesday, the city’s designated area for buses to arrive, 800 S. Desplaines St., remained quiet. The area, which previously housed the Maxwell Street Market, contained a row of portable toilets, police barriers and CTA buses on standby for any arrivals.
City officials said Texas does not provide advance notice about the buses, but it now seems unlikely there will be an increase in newly arrived immigrants.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 2:39 pm
Previous Post: Caption contest!
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If the past couple years especially has taught me anything, it’s that a load of media types absolutely love spending a lot of time thinking about ways that things can go badly for Democrats and the City of Chicago.
Comment by TJ Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 3:06 pm
I’m still surprised Governor Abbott hasn’t tbh. It’s one of their two best issues and they haven’t even flown a charter planeload into Gary or Rockford airports (which the tipped off conservative news network would inevitably report as ‘Just outside Chicago”).
Glad he hasn’t but definitely surprised too.
Comment by ChicagoBars Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 3:17 pm
I was one of the ones who expected and predicted that Abbott would send a fleet of buses to the DNC to raise trouble. I’m happy to be wrong, but suspicious as to why. I did see some stats that the immigration flow has slowed to the point where Abbott is having trouble scaring up enough people to put on a bus. Could also be the migrants got wise about the “free rides” and no longer agree to get on.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 3:48 pm
==it’s that a load of media types absolutely love spending a lot of time thinking about ways that things can go badly for Democrats and the City of Chicago.==
Including many so called “progressive” media outlets. Mesnwhile, downtown and surrounding neighborhoods have never looked better.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 4:21 pm
Gov. Abbott to agree that Biden’s immigration policies are working in 3… 2… 1…
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 8:44 pm