Illinois lawmakers press Biden for more resources to assist incoming asylum seekers
Source: WREX
Lawmakers from across Illinois urge President Joe Biden to respond to the state's arriving migrants.
Led by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), members of the Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation wrote to Biden.
In their remarks, the policymakers called on the President to provide Illinois and Chicago the necessary resources to receive asylum seekers in a safe and orderly fashion.
"As members of the Illinois congressional delegation, we urge you to take immediate action to address serious humanitarian needs in Illinois," wrote the lawmakers.
Stateline-area representatives joining the letter included Rep. Eric Sorenson (IL-17) and Lauren Underwood (IL-14).
In the letter, lawmakers ask for government-wide supplying of resources, streamlining of work authorization, technical assistance for work permit applications, improved data sharing and improvements to the Shelter and Services Program (SSP).
The delegation added, "Illinois and the City of Chicago have dedicated unprecedented resources to the more than 18,000 asylum seekers who have traveled to Chicago from the U.S.-Mexico border since the start of Governor Abbott’s partisan stunt, 'Operation Lone Star,' in August 2022."
The numerous lawmakers also urged Department of Homeland Security officials to Chicago to assist non-governmental organizations and provide asylum seekers with the latest information.
From the letter, representatives request a federal liaison for Illinois as well: someone tasked with coordinating federal agencies working with state and local officials and serving as a contact point.
A full view of the letter can be found here.
By: Nathan Langley
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