Chicago Democrat predicts worsening migrant crisis before Democratic Convention.

An⁣ Aide’s Concerns

An aide to Chicago’s Democratic mayor ‍is worried⁢ that Republican governors will bus⁢ more ‍migrants to the⁣ city before it hosts the 2024 Democratic National⁣ Convention.

“We have ⁢to plan for⁣ the increase. ⁢They’re gonna ‌do everything they can because this is all political, and they want to make the case that ⁤Democratic-led cities are not capable of living up to the values⁣ that we⁣ have,” Cristina Pacione-Zayas, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Brandon Johnson, said Monday. The convention is slated for next ‌August.

Pacione-Zayas said Republicans‌ want to “topple our operation” and prove Democrats are “incompetent.”

Struggles ⁤in Chicago

The city is already struggling to care for ⁢thousands of illegal immigrants, Fox‍ 32 Chicago reported:

Over the last week alone, the⁣ number‍ of⁤ new ⁤arrivals sleeping on the floors of Chicago police stations ⁢has increased ⁤6% — to 1,100 — even though Johnson has made it a priority to “decompress” police stations. Another 170 ⁢new arrivals have taken up residence at O’Hare International Airport.

With 15 shelters housing 6,360 new arrivals, Chicago already⁢ spends upward of $20 million per month⁢ to house, feed, clothe and care for​ migrants. The $51 million‍ in emergency funding ⁣approved‍ by a divided City‌ Council on May 31 carried the city only through​ June 30.

Republican governors and local‍ leaders near the border in recent months have sent ⁣migrants ⁢by ⁢bus and plane to Democrat-run cities—including ‌Chicago, New York⁢ City,⁢ and Sacramento.

The complaints from ‍the mayor’s office come despite Johnson advertising Chicago as a sanctuary city.

Ongoing Challenges

Chicago continues to struggle⁣ with violence⁣ and killings. A Democratic alderwoman asked gang members this month to ‌limit their shootings and murders to the evening hours.