(The Center Square) – As health concerns grow around the arrival of migrants, including the recent death of a 5-year-old boy, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city is doing what it can.
During a news conference Monday, Johnson told NBC Chicago that migrants are arriving ill.
“I want you to hear me good, they are showing up sick,” Johnson said. “Do you hear me? They are showing up sick. The issue is not just how we respond in the city of Chicago.”
Johnson went on to blame Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
“The governor of Texas needs to look in the mirror for the damage he is causing for this country,” Johnson said. “This is not just a Chicago dynamic.”
Chicago has seen over 25,000 migrants arrive from the U.S. southern border over the last 15 months as many border communities lack the resources to care for the influx. Chicago and other cities with sanctuary status where they don’t enforce federal immigration law have been on the receiving end of the migrant relocation.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, said when the migrants arrive they immediately need to be reviewed by health officials.
“If we are going to be a welcoming city, then we need to first welcome them to the health department,” Ford said. “Not only are they at risk, but we stand the risk of viruses and diseases crossing the border.”
Ford said the problem will get worse as migrants will continue to show up over the coming months.
“I think there needs to be some type of medical director in charge of the migrant population,” Ford said. “There must be a medical director that is connected to healthcare providers.”
A city of Chicago news release said the city has successfully resettled or reunited over 10,000 migrant arrivals while providing shelter, food and wraparound services for more than 15,000 others.
