Casten, Foster, Underwood Lead Illinois Delegation in Urging Biden Administration to Provide Federal Resources for Migrant Arrivals
Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Sean Casten (IL-06), Bill Foster (IL-11), and Lauren Underwood (IL-14) led Members of the Illinois congressional delegation in urging the Biden Administration to provide and help coordinate federal resources to manage the recent influx of migrant arrivals throughout the suburbs.
In a letter to President Biden, the Members wrote:
“Many of our suburbs lack the financial means, expertise, and resources to support these migrants, and immediate assistance is needed. While we understand the complexities of the situation, the Biden Administration must take swift and comprehensive action to alleviate the strain on our local communities.”
“I am joining my Illinois congressional colleagues in urging President Biden to help Chicagoland communities welcome newly arriving immigrants,” said Congressman Sean Casten. “In order to best support both asylum-seekers sent by Governor Abbott and Illinoisans, we must address safety needs, coordinate between suburban communities and the city, and ensure we are proactively managing their arrival.”
“The federal government has a responsibility to address the crisis at the border and provide Illinois with resources to manage the influx of migrants,” said Congressman Bill Foster. “As long as Governor Abbott continues this political stunt, it's essential that the Administration finds a mechanism to send proportional resources and funding for communities managing migrant arrivals.”
“Operation Lone Star is a deeply shameful political stunt that uses vulnerable human beings—men, women, children, and babies—to score political points. It is another heartbreaking chapter in the story of our broken immigration system,” Congresswoman Underwood said. “Republicans have created this humanitarian crisis, but we must ensure that these families are met with dignity and receive proper care throughout their journey. I am urging the Administration to use every available tool to support us as we navigate these challenges while upholding the values that make the 14th District so strong.”
The letter is signed by Reps. Bill Foster (IL-11), Sean Casten (IL-06), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Danny Davis (IL-07), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Schneider (IL-10), and Eric Sorensen (IL-17).
The full letter can be found here.
This follows an October 2023 letter the delegation, led by Senator Durbin (D-IL), sent to the Biden Administration concerning the large number of migrant arrivals.
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