Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices
US Mayors Say They're at Breaking Point With Migrant Crisis
Clip: 12/28/2023 | 3m 53sVideo has Closed Captions
The mayors of Chicago, New York City and Denver are seeking federal assistance.
The mayors of Chicago, New York City and Denver want the migrant crisis to be classified as a federal emergency.
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Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices is a local public television program presented by WTTW
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices
US Mayors Say They're at Breaking Point With Migrant Crisis
Clip: 12/28/2023 | 3m 53sVideo has Closed Captions
The mayors of Chicago, New York City and Denver want the migrant crisis to be classified as a federal emergency.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipFROM CITIES MOST IMPACTED BY THE RIVAL OF LATIN AMERICAN MIGRANTS SENT FROM TEXAS ARE NOW JOINING FORCES.
THAT INCLUDES CHICAGO WHOSE MAYOR WARNS OF A BREAK.
AMANDA IS HERE WITH MORE ON THE COLLECTIVE WHICH CITIES AND WHERE THE MAYOR IS ASKING CHICAGO, OF COURSE.
BUT ALSO TO NEW YORK IN DENVER AND THE MAYOR SAY WITH THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS SENT THEIR WAY WEEKLY, THINGS HAVE GOTTEN SO SEVERE.
>> THAT THE WHITE HOUSE SHOULD DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY.
ASKING FOR 3 THINGS IN PARTICULAR FROM THE FEDS.
>> FOR STARTERS, MONEY ALSO COORDINATION AT THE BORDER.
THEY WANT A NATIONAL RESETTLEMENT STRATEGY.
>> QUICKER PROCESSING OF ASYLUM SEEKERS, PAPERWORK THAT INCLUDES WORK, AUTHORIZATION PERMITS, THINKING BEING THAT THESE FOLKS THEN REQUIRE SHELTER AND SUPPORT SERVICES IF PERMITS ARE SPED UP.
>> THERE IS A COMMON SENSE PRACTICAL WAY TO ADDRESS THIS CRISIS.
AND WE BELIEVE WE 3 MAYORS AND OTHER MAYORS AROUND THE COUNTRY, YOU KNOW, PART OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE SURE THOSE CRITERIA ARE >> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE SEEN A PUBLIC JOINT ASK, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'VE HEARD MAYORS AND OTHER POLITICAL LEADERS MAKE THAT ASK FROM THE FEDS.
DENVER MAYOR MIKE JOHNSTON SAYS HE IS HOPEFUL A DEAL WILL BE PART OF ONGOING BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS IN CONGRESS.
BUT NOTHING SO FAR HAS MOVED THE NEEDLE IN DC AND IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER THIS IN THEM CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE TIMING OF THIS REQUEST?
WELL, THE MAYOR'S HELM THAT THINGS ARE REALLY AT A BREAKING POINT.
THEY SAY THAT SHELTERS ARE AT OR CLOSE TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY.
THAT INCLUDES HERE IN CHICAGO.
ACCORDING TO MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON.
ALSO THE COST OF CARING FOR MIGRANTS.
THEY SAY CRUSHING CITY BUDGETS.
DENVER'S MAYOR SAYING IT'S ESTIMATING THAT THE COST OF CARING FOR MIGRANTS WILL EAT UP 10% OF NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.
NEW YORK.
MAYOR ERIC ADAMS SAYS THAT'S ALREADY ROEDING CITY SERVICES COULD SQUEEZE LIBRARY, TRASH PICKUP AND HIRING OF POLICE.
>> IT'S GOING TO IMPACT EVERY DELIVERY OF SERVICES IN THE CITY.
WE NOW HAVE A HIRING FREEZE THAT WE CANNOT BRING ON ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES TO DO WITH EVERYTHING FROM SOCIAL SERVICES TO ACTUALLY CLEAN IN ALL CITY.
SO WE'RE SEEING THE FALLOUT OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
>> CHICAGO'S MAYOR WAS NOT AS EXPLICIT ABOUT THAT FALL OUT.
BUT JOHNSON SAYS THAT THE MIGRANT SITUATION HAS PUT A STRAIN ON CITY SERVICES.
HE SAYS THAT CITIES ARE TAKING HUMANE APPROACH AND HE SAYS CHICAGO IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO, BUT HE SAYS IT IS SIMPLY TOO MUCH FOR CITIES AND STATES TO HANDLE.
HE PLEADED FOR THE FEDS TO LEAN IN AND SAYS WITHOUT IMMEDIATE FEDERAL ACTION, QUOTE, THIS MISSION WILL NOT BE SUSTAINED.
>> WE HAVE REACHED A CRITICAL POINT IN THIS MISSION THAT ABSENT.
REAL SIGNIFICANT INTERVENTION IMMEDIATELY.
LOCAL ECONOMY'S NOT DESIGN AND BUILD TO RESPOND.
TO THIS TYPE OF CRISIS.
>> ENJOYING I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE IN THIS GROUP, YOU KNOW, ONLINE PRESS CONFERENCE TO ASK THE MAYOR WHAT EXACTLY HE MEANS BY THE MISSION WILL BE SUSTAINED.
WHAT THAT COULD LEAD AN END.
YOU KNOW, AS THE CITY'S WAIT FOR REACTION FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS, WHAT ARE THEY DOING WITH THE BIG APPLE IS ACTUALLY FALLING.
CHICAGO, HIS LEAD MIGHT NOT RESTRICTIONS ON WHEN AND WHERE MIGRANTS CAN BE DROPPED OFF.
WE KNOW THOUGH THAT TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT IS IN.
THIS IS HOW JOHNSON DESCRIBED IT, CIRCUMVENTING THAT LAW BY SENDING PLANES INSTEAD OR BUSES DROPPING MIGRANTS OFF IN SUBURBS.
AND WE NOW HAVE THOSE COMMUNITIES AND ACTING DROP-OFF FOR SECTIONS AS THANK AND WE SEE CHICAGO'S
Chicago Sees Unseasonably Warm December
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 12/28/2023 | 6m 13s | It's winter in Chicago, but where's the cold weather and snow? (6m 13s)
How an Albany Park School is Supporting Migrant Students
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 12/28/2023 | 3m 10s | It's been a challenging journey for thousands of migrant children arriving in Chicago. (3m 10s)
West Chicago Residents Push Back Against 2nd Waste Facility
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 12/28/2023 | 5m 53s | West Chicago is currently home to the only waste transfer facility in DuPage County. (5m 53s)
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Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices is a local public television program presented by WTTW