Western Reader
In the heart of America’s third-largest city, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding that starkly illustrates the consequences of the Biden administration’s failed border policies.
The O’Hare Airport in Chicago, a bustling hub for travelers worldwide, has been transformed into an overcrowded and unsanitary makeshift shelter for migrants.
The airport, typically associated with the hustle and bustle of international travel, has devolved into a squalid encampment.
Employees have voiced their concerns about the deteriorating conditions, describing the scene as dangerous and filthy. This grim reality is a stark contrast to the gleaming image of progress and prosperity that the Democratic leadership in the city would like to project.
You should see ohare airport tonight. Occupied with 1000s of homeless. But at least Ukraine has the pensions paid in full.
— Jeff⚡️ (@jeffreyhowell) February 25, 2023
The situation has been exacerbated by the decision to use the airport as a temporary shelter for illegal immigrants.
Hidden behind a large black curtain on the ground floor of a building opposite the Hilton Hotel, the shelter has seen a dramatic increase in occupants. In August alone, the number of migrants staying at the airport rose from around 411 to approximately 2,089.
As the number of migrants continues to rise, so does the length of their stay. The airport, initially intended as a temporary stop, has become a semi-permanent residence for many.
Families are spending weeks amid poor conditions, with inadequate access to basic necessities such as quality food, healthcare, showers, laundry, and bedding. The lack of support for placing children in schools further compounds the issue.
The situation at O’Hare is not just a humanitarian crisis; it’s also a public safety issue.
As Vianney Marzullo, a lead volunteer with the Police Station Response Team advocacy group, warns, having people stay longer than three days poses significant health risks. Yet, despite these warnings, the stays are becoming increasingly prolonged.
How bad are things??? Things are so bad that a DEMOCRAT Alderman is on @TuckerCarlson discussing a HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT IN OHARE AIRPORT! 🤪 pic.twitter.com/RYfC13io5W
— queen ann (@kimamfb) February 16, 2023
The crisis at O’Hare is a microcosm of the broader issues facing Chicago and other cities across the country.
Despite spending over $100 million to care for illegal immigrants, the city is overwhelmed. Migrants are being housed in police stations, and tensions are rising in communities around the city.
At a recent community forum focused on a soon-to-be-reestablished migrant shelter at The Lake Shore Hotel in the Hyde Park area of the city, residents voiced their concerns about noise, cleanliness, and drug use.
One resident’s statement encapsulates the growing frustration: “I don’t want them there. Take them someplace else or send them back to Venezuela. I don’t care where they go.”
This crisis at O’Hare Airport is a stark reminder of the catastrophic results of the Biden administration’s broken border policy. It’s time for our leaders to acknowledge the problem and take decisive action to address it.
Until then, the situation at O’Hare and other similar sites across the country will continue to deteriorate.
This article appeared in StatesmanPost and has been published here with permission.
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