A coalition of black Chicago Democrats are taking legal action against the city over damages they claim have been caused by its sanctuary status.
Chicago resident and activist Cata Truss, one of the residents filing suit, said she had voted for Mayor Brandon Johnson but was now experiencing “buyer’s remorse” after witnessing what she claims to be preferential treatment to illegal immigrants over the native Chicagoans.
“I supported [Chicago] Mayor Brandon Johnson,” Ms. Truss told the Free Press. “I feel like a fool right now. You can slap us in the face by ignoring us today, but we are punching you in the face by ignoring you at the polling places tomorrow.
“There’s a humanitarian crisis in the black community. ... But every time we have a need in our community, we’re told that there are no funds. There’s no money for us,” she added.
Activist Mark Carter says that Democrats are trying to turn away the black voter, and they are succeeding.
“We see that the Democratic Party has decided to do away with us, and so we [are] fine with that,” Mr. Carter told MSN. “And so we’re going to do away with them.
“I understood that the Democratic Party had done just that, done away with our humility. And so I am one of the ones who was already Team Trump a long time ago,” Mr. Carter continued. “I knew that he would push that immigration plan to push these people back into the country to close the border, and Joe Biden did the exact opposite as soon as he got in office.”
‘Slap in the Face’
Community activist Jessie Jackson told The Epoch Times that she hopes the legal action spurs officials to rethink their priorities and delegate at least some of those resources back to the people of Chicago.“We have been underfunded for decades and have schools that need to be reopened and abandoned buildings that need to be reopened,” said Ms. Jackson. “We are taxpayers and property owners, and our taxes should be going to our communities.
“The money needs to be for us,” she added.
In response, a spokesman for Mr. Johnson’s office released a statement claiming the city was “committed to continued investment for all residents” and said that Chicago’s “shoulders were big enough to support both new arrivals and those who have long called this city home.”
For more than a year, tensions have risen over what residents believe is the misappropriation of funds from the city’s own citizens to those who enter the country illegally.
Chicago has maintained its status as a sanctuary city since 1985, when former Mayor Harold Washington issued an executive order.
The order became law in 2006 when city officials were directed not to ask about immigration status, disclose that information to federal authorities, or deny city services depending on citizenship status.
Today, Chicago is enduring a mass influx of illegal immigrants. More than 520 buses have arrived with illegal immigrants in the city since May, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Last September, Mr. Johnson told reporters that the city was reaching its breaking point and needed federal help.
“Let me state this clearly: The city of Chicago cannot go on welcoming new arrivals safely and capably without significant support and immigration policy changes,” said the mayor. “The feds haven’t sent any money.”
“A lot of people are feeling like when we voice concerns about violence and economic issues, these city officials tell us there is no money available, but now that the migrants are here, they are finding millions and millions of dollars,” said Mr. Brooks.
“It’s a slap in the face.”
