Immigration

Dem Mayor Faces Backlash For Housing Migrants In Police Stations After Officers Face Sexual Misconduct Allegations

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Democratic Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is being urged to expand housing for migrants after police officers at a station used to house them were accused of sexual misconduct, Axios reported Wednesday.

City investigators announced a probe into the allegations against the Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers Friday. Activists and local groups are asking for permanent housing for nearly 5,30o migrants in light of the probe, according to Axios.

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began busing migrants from the southern border to the Windy City in August, resulting in the arrival of more than 3,400 migrants, his office said Friday. Andre Vasquez, 40th ward alderman and chair of the City Council’s Immigrant and Refugee Rights Committee, told Axios that the city needs to find safe shelters for roughly 250 migrants to stay at a time. He said that could mean using shuttered churches.

“I think the city has been welcoming in spirit, but it hasn’t, over decades since it was first thought of as a sanctuary city, really developed the infrastructure necessary to do so,” Vasquez told Axios.

Johnson began relocating migrants from the police stations as the investigation continues, he said in a Twitter thread Friday.

“New arrivals are being moved to temporary shelters in current operation, with full relocation to be completed by tomorrow morning. The Johnson administration will continue to center the safety of all Chicagoans, including our new neighbors,” Johnson tweeted.

“The administration is also in the process of relocating all new arrivals from District 10 today in accordance with its ongoing strategy of moving asylum seekers out of all Chicago police stations,” Johnson added.