America First Legal (AFL) has released new documents and data highlighting the impact of the Biden-Harris Administration's immigration policies on American cities, with a focus on Chicago. The investigation by AFL reveals how these policies have led to increased challenges for cities like Chicago, turning them into what AFL describes as "struggling border towns."
The data obtained from the Chicago Police Department indicates that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) has established a presence in Chicago. Between January 1, 2023, and September 10, 2024, there were 30 separate adult arrests linked to TdA. Emails from Illinois Governor Pritzker's office show that daily arrivals of migrants by bus have strained local resources.
Vice President Kamala Harris had announced a "Call to Action" initiative in February 2023 aimed at addressing migration's root causes by creating jobs in Central America. Despite these efforts, AFL argues that the migrant crisis has worsened in the United States.
Reports from Cook County Sheriff's Office highlight concerns about TdA's involvement in human trafficking among newly arrived immigrants. An email from the Police Department Special Victims Unit confirmed that this criminal network was active within immigrant communities.
The influx of migrants has overwhelmed Chicago's shelter system and other public services. As of August 18, 2023, over 13,000 new arrivals were reported since January of that year. By November 27, 2023, those numbers had risen significantly.
Chicago officials noted similar struggles in other major cities dealing with migrant inflows. They also sought assistance from organizations like Catholic Charities for housing solutions through programs such as Illinois’s Asylum Seeker Emergency Assistance Program (ASERAP), which faced funding shortages by late 2023.
Federal support was requested to manage these challenges, including funds from FEMA for shelters and coordination efforts involving various federal agencies.
Gene Hamilton, Executive Director of America First Legal, criticized the administration’s policies: “The Biden-Harris Administration’s open-border policies have wreaked havoc on communities all across the United States."