Rockford Sun

A group of Republican legislators in Illinois are proposing legislative solutions to address the ongoing migrant crisis that is overwhelming state and community resources. State Senators Andrew Chesney and Dave Syverson, along with Assistant House Republican Leader John M. Cabello and State Representative Joe Sosnowski, held a press conference at the Capitol to discuss the actions that led to the crisis and the steps they believe will address it.

According to the lawmakers, the weak border policies implemented by the Biden Administration and Illinois laws that act as incentives for undocumented individuals to come to the state are largely to blame for the influx of migrants. Senator Chesney criticized Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lightfoot for their welcoming stance towards undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers, stating, "They rolled out the welcome mat for illegal immigrants and asylum seekers, and are now pointing fingers everywhere but at themselves."

Senator Chesney also spoke about the chaos that ensued when a plane carrying over 350 migrants arrived at the Rockford airport with little notice. He expressed concerns about the lack of information regarding whether this was a one-time event or if more planes carrying migrants will be landing in Rockford.

One of the proposed legislative measures is the repeal of portions of the TRUST Act that prohibit local law enforcement from collaborating with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to enforce federal immigration laws. Leader Cabello emphasized the need to repeal the TRUST Act, stating that it is a major policy failure that threatens public safety, burdens local governments, and comes at a huge cost to taxpayers.

Another policy proposal aims to roll back laws that provide free healthcare for migrants and illegal immigrants in Illinois. Senator Syverson highlighted the excessive cost of the program, which exceeded its yearly appropriation within the first month of its implementation. He criticized the prioritization of healthcare for non-citizens over the needs of Illinois residents, particularly those with developmental disabilities and veterans who struggle to access adequate services.

A third bill seeks to provide a framework for migrants and illegal immigrants to access free travel back to their home country or to another sanctuary city or state. The legislators argue that Illinois taxpayers deserve accountability and solutions, and these initiatives will deliver meaningful solutions if Democrats are willing to work with them.

The legislative package is currently being finalized and will be filed before the February 9 deadline for the introduction of bills.

Overall, the Republican legislators are taking a firm stance on addressing the migrant crisis in Illinois. They attribute the influx of migrants to weak border policies and Illinois laws that incentivize undocumented individuals to come to the state. Their proposed solutions include repealing portions of the TRUST Act, rolling back laws providing free healthcare to migrants, and providing a framework for free travel for migrants and illegal immigrants. Time will tell whether these proposals gain traction and effectively address the challenges posed by the migrant crisis in Illinois.