(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is calling on the Biden administration to waive a fee on employment-based visas and other immigration programs in an effort to get more migrants to work.
The state has seen over 24,000 arrive over the last 15 months, which has led to the city and state spending nearly $1 billion for shelter, care and other services.
A significant number of arrivals are being housed in tents inside and outside police stations and have been encouraged to seek work while in Chicago.
However, migrant works fees have prompted Illinois elected officials to speak out.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on Monday that he is working to remove the costs.
“Every time I see White House personnel or the President, I have raised this issue and others related to the asylum seekers coming to Chicago,” Pritzker said. “This waiver of those fees is very, very important.”
According to reports, Chicago gained 25 more buses full of non-citizen arrivals seeking shelter in the city over the last two weeks, increasing the demand for shelter and services, which, without work permits, leaves people sitting and doing nothing.
“$500 is really untenable for many of these migrants who cannot go to work without a work authorization, and they can’t get a work authorization without being able to purchase the permit,” Pritzker said.
The city and the state have already used taxpayer dollars to shelter the arrivals.
The amount already spent by the state and city has led to Pritzker calling on donations to help support the migrants.
“We are working together with them; we also have philanthropists and others who are trying to help pay some of those fees,” Pritzker said. “What we really need is a national waiver for these asylum seekers.”
Chicago has set aside an additional $150 million to help shelter and care for the influx of noncitizen arrivals. The state recently announced it will be contributing another $160 million in taxpayer funds for services.
