|
During a news conference Monday, Johnson told NBC Chicago that
migrants are arriving ill.
"I want you to hear me good, they are showing up sick," Johnson
said. "Do you hear me? They are showing up sick. The issue is
not just how we respond in the city of Chicago."
Johnson went on to blame Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
"The governor of Texas needs to look in the mirror for the
damage he is causing for this country," Johnson said. "This is
not just a Chicago dynamic."
Chicago has seen over 25,000 migrants arrive from the U.S.
southern border over the last 15 months as many border
communities lack the resources to care for the influx. Chicago
and other cities with sanctuary status where they don't enforce
federal immigration law have been on the receiving end of the
migrant relocation.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, said when the migrants
arrive they immediately need to be reviewed by health officials.
"If we are going to be a welcoming city, then we need to first
welcome them to the health department," Ford said. "Not only are
they at risk, but we stand the risk of viruses and diseases
crossing the border."
Ford said the problem will get worse as migrants will continue
to show up over the coming months.
"I think there needs to be some type of medical director in
charge of the migrant population," Ford said. "There must be a
medical director that is connected to healthcare providers."
A city of Chicago news release said the city has successfully
resettled or reunited over 10,000 migrant arrivals while
providing shelter, food and wraparound services for more than
15,000 others.
|
|
