Staff Reports
An Illinois state lawmaker, Rep. Brad Halbrook, has been sounding the alarm after visiting the U.S. southern border in Texas. According to Halbrook, Illinois has been inundated with nearly 30,000 migrants since August 2022, costing taxpayers a whopping $700 million in just one year. This crisis has left communities struggling and has caused some to refuse to take in any more migrants.
During his border visit, Halbrook was shocked by the sheer number of migrants crossing the border. He described it as an “eye-opening experience” and urged policymakers to witness the situation firsthand. He revealed that thousands of migrants are crossing the river daily, risking their lives to enter the United States.
Illinois legislator visits southern U.S. border amid migrant crisishttps://t.co/e99VeiRogU
— The Center Square (@thecentersquare) January 9, 2024
Halbrook also highlighted the tragic reality of the situation, noting that many migrants are dying in their attempts to cross the border. He reported that 57 bodies were discovered in just one week on a pecan farm in the area. The situation is dire, with migrants being shipped to Democratic cities like Chicago, adding more strain to already overwhelmed communities.
Furthermore, Halbrook pointed fingers at failed leadership, blaming Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the mayor of Chicago, and President Biden for ignoring the gravity of the crisis. He emphasized the need for immediate action and called for the closure of the southern border to stem the influx of migrants.
Other lawmakers, like state Sen. Andrew Chesney, echoed Halbrook’s concerns, stating that citizens are suffering as resources are diverted to migrants. Chesney criticized Pritzker for prioritizing non-citizens and migrants over the well-being of Illinois citizens, particularly in the realm of healthcare.
In response to the crisis, Halbrook stressed the need for the legislature to intervene, questioning Pritzker’s 18th disaster proclamation and calling for the General Assembly to address the pressing issues at hand.
In summary, Rep. Brad Halbrook’s eye-opening trip to the U.S. southern border has shed light on the dire situation, prompting urgent calls for the Biden administration to take decisive action to close the border and alleviate the strain on Illinois and other affected states.
