Chicago and New York City Grapple with Migration Crises as Costs and Consequences Mount

The migration crisis continues to take its toll on major American cities, with Chicago and New York City bearing the brunt of the impact. In a recent segment of The Ingraham Angle, Laura discussed the situation with Vashon Tuncle, a Chicago activist, and Joe Borelli, minority leader of the New York City Council. Both guests highlighted the financial and social costs of the crisis, calling for decisive action to prioritize Americans and restore order.

Chicago: Activists Speak Out

Vashon Tuncle expressed deep frustration with the state of Chicago under the strain of illegal immigration. Addressing the work of Tom Homan and DHS, Tuncle applauded their efforts to enforce deportations, calling them a much-needed step to restore safety and order. “Thank you, Tom Homan, for doing an absolute great job cleaning up the city of Chicago. I know you’re not done yet,” he said.

Tuncle did not hold back in criticizing local leaders, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, for prioritizing illegal immigrants over citizens. “How do you guys sleep at night knowing that there are rapists out here that committed heinous crimes against children and women?” he asked, emphasizing the moral and financial burden the city faces. Tuncle highlighted that Chicago is half a billion dollars in debt due to the costs associated with illegal immigration, adding, “How do these men sleep at night knowing that you’re putting illegal immigrants committing crimes over American citizens?”

New York City: A $6.5 Billion Crisis

Joe Borelli shared a similarly grim outlook from New York City. The city’s migration crisis has already cost taxpayers $6.5 billion, a figure Borelli described as unsustainable. “That $6.5 billion could have gone to schools, hospitals, nurses, firefighters, or even making the flowers in the park grow nicer,” he said, underscoring the opportunity cost of the city’s financial outlay.

Borelli expressed gratitude for former President Trump’s border policies and the recent reduction in migrant numbers thanks to stricter enforcement. However, he remained critical of the Democratic Party’s failure to manage the crisis effectively. “The Democratic Party fundamentally failed us at the border and here in our large cities,” Borelli said. He called for accountability and a shift in priorities to support the city’s taxpayers, adding, “As a taxpayer in this city, I don’t know how long we can possibly sustain this wave of illegal people living on our dime.”

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The Hidden Alliances and Consequences

Laura pointed out another aspect of the migration crisis: the complex alliances between NGOs and institutions that benefit from the influx of migrants. In places like Fairfax County, Virginia, Laura noted how declining public school enrollment due to COVID-19 and political disagreements has been offset by an influx of migrant students. “The illegal influx of students is actually helpful to the teachers’ unions,” she said, adding that these organizations see a new generation to influence.

Laura also criticized organizations like Catholic Charities and Lutheran Services for their role in facilitating the migration influx, calling it an “unholy alliance.” These groups, she argued, enable policies that strain resources and harm American communities.

Prioritizing Americans

Tuncle passionately advocated for putting Americans first, dismissing arguments defending long-time undocumented immigrants. “If you are here illegally, you’re not off the table. You are committing a crime within itself if you’re here illegally in America,” he stated.

Laura echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the nationwide suffering caused by unchecked migration. “You in New York, Chicago, Oakland, St. Louis, and little towns across America—you’re all suffering as a result,” she said.

Borelli agreed, underscoring how generous benefits and subsidies serve as incentives for illegal immigration. “The consequences need to be negative. When they’re giving you free stuff, free health care, and free schools, of course more people are going to come,” he explained. He also criticized New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ futile attempts to discourage migration during a visit to South America.

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A Call for Action

The guests agreed on the need for swift and sustained action to address the crisis. Laura closed the segment by acknowledging the monumental task ahead, saying, “Now, there’s a lot of people that have to be removed, and that’s going to be a pace that is hard to maintain, but we just have to do it.”

Both Chicago and New York City illustrate the growing costs of illegal immigration, from financial burdens to public safety concerns. As enforcement efforts ramp up under new leadership, the question remains whether these cities—and the nation as a whole—can reclaim stability and prioritize the well-being of American citizens.