Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker appealed to Texas Governor Greg Abbott to halt the transportation of immigrants to Illinois during a severe winter storm. Pritzker’s plea emphasized a humanitarian concern for the safety of the immigrants being bused to states like Illinois, which has been experiencing heavy snowfall and rain.
In his letter to Abbott, Pritzker criticized the Texas governor’s approach to the border crisis, accusing him of playing a “cruel political game” and disregarding bipartisan solutions. Pritzker highlighted the harsh weather conditions in Illinois, which had led to significant snow accumulation, flight cancellations at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, and school closures. He expressed concern for the health and safety of the immigrants, including children and families, who were being transported to Illinois in such adverse conditions.
In response, Abbott’s office stated that Texas would continue transporting migrants to sanctuary cities until President Joe Biden secures the border. Abbott’s spokesman, Andrew Mahaleris, urged Pritzker to direct his appeals to Biden, accusing the President of neglecting his duty to secure the border. Mahaleris emphasized that Texas, too, was preparing for severe winter weather and that the migrant transports were a response to the “Biden-made crisis.”
Since August 2022, approximately 30,000 immigrants have arrived in Illinois via buses from Texas, with an additional 4,300 flown into the state, according to data from the City of Chicago. The ongoing migrant transports have become a contentious issue, highlighting the complex challenges of managing border security and immigration policy across different states.