Buckner on Migrant Chaos: "Not a Crisis"
Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) called the influx of migrants into Chicago an “opportunity” for the city to grow.
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A top House Democrat says he doesn’t consider Chicago’s influx of migrants and the struggle to shelter them a “crisis,” but a way to grow a state that has traditionally leaned on immigrants for growth.
Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) discussed the migrant issue on our podcast (that is available on Apple, Google, Spotify, or Amazon) and claimed the issue that has forced the city and state to scramble starts with federal government.
“[It] starts with the Biden administration and members of Congress,” he said. “The constitution gives the federal government the exclusive right to deal with immigration and naturalization. Unfortunately, they have not done that in a way that has been sufficient, so cities and states are having to piecemeal and put together a plan to move forward.”
News stories have permeated for months about the influx of migrants, who are in the country legally as they seek asylum from the federal government, and many have alleged tension between the offices of Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson as they try to come up with a plan to address sheltering, feeding, and caring for migrants until they get work permits from the federal government.
“I don’t think this is a JB versus Brandon problem, I think this is a state versus city issue that’s been going on for years,” said Buckner, who ran for Chicago Mayor earlier this year. “I know that perception is reality for folks, often. When it appears that the right hand and the left hand don’t know what the other is doing and there doesn’t appear like there is a clear and cogent plan, people get a little restless, right?
But, Buckner says, the city and state have to show success to gain the public’s trust on the issue.
“People have to see that it’s working, and there are some growing pains going on right now,” he said.
You can view the video version of the podcast below:
