“I’ve also directed my team to make a historic increase in the number of refugees admitted from Latin America — people fleeing violence and persecution who simply want their kids to have a better life.”
President Biden, September 21, 2023
By: Mark Glennon*
Make no mistake: Recent comments by Pres. Joe Biden and Gov. JB Pritzker seemingly calling for tighter border security are a ruse. No policy change has tightened the border. Nobody should expect any change from Biden’s true policy, stated above, or that the State of Illinois or City of Chicago will cross him on that policy.
Illegal aliens just since 2021 total more than individual populations of 38 states. Illegal border crossings set another record in September and now top 8 million since Biden took office.
Double talk is all we are getting from those in power. They care not that an overwhelming number of Americans – 66% – want border enforcement. That includes 61% of Democrats who say they want stronger law enforcement at the border, and two-thirds of Latino voters (65%).
There’s an “acute and immediate need” for a border wall in the Rio Grande Valley, said Biden’s Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Oct. 4. Yet Biden said “No” when asked the next day if a border wall was effective in halting illegal immigration, and the supposed construction turned out to be for just 20 miles of wall.
Pritzker claimed success from his request last month for federal help when the Department of Homeland Security said it will speed up the processing of work authorizations for asylum seekers. But the federal government, also with Pritzker’s support, will increase the maximum validity period for work permits to five years for certain noncitizens, including those admitted as refugees or granted asylum, those who have been granted withholding of removal, and applicants for asylum.
DHS will also extend Temporary Protected Status for 18 months to Venezuelan migrants who were living in the U.S. on or before July 31. Illinois and Chicago leaders “rejoiced at the news,” as the Chicago Tribune reported.
In other words, what is given with one hand is taken away with the other.
To Pritzker, border security is just a bargaining chip to get a comprehensive immigration reform, his version of which would no doubt mean normalization and voting rights for those here. On the national broadcast Face the Nation earlier this month, he said,
The House of Representatives is opposed to any kind of comprehensive immigration reform. It seems like now is the moment to talk about border security and immigration reform. We want immigrants in the United States, we also want border security, it seems like there’s a compromise there that can occur.
The hell with that. Enforce the border now. No conditions.
Meanwhile, Chicago buckles under the cost of the mere 18,000 asylum seekers bused to the city from Texas. That’s a tiny fraction of the number expected from the millions crossing the border.
Mayor Brandon Johnson shamelessly hid the problem in his new budget proposal last week. The city will budget just $150 million to cover the cost of housing, feeding and caring for those sent to Chicago in 2024, even though that is less than half of what the city will have spent to care for Chicago’s newest arrivals through the end of 2023. Johnson hasn’t even attempted the pretense of wanting illegal immigration fixed.
“Sanctuary” protection and benefit policies remain in place for Illinois and Chicago, drawing more and more arrivals. No effort is afoot to change any of that. Medicaid benefits for migrants alone are projected to cost the State of Illinois over $1 billion this year, but nobody truly knows since nobody knows how many migrants will arrive.
Nor does anybody have a good estimate of how many of the incoming are criminals or even terrorists. DHS has reported a spike in the number of individuals with criminal convictions or that are listed on the terror watchlist attempting to enter the United States illegally through its borders. A new record.
But that’s just those who are caught. “Gotaways” – those never encountered by a border agent, who probably include the more sophisticated criminals or terrorists — probably number 1.6 million since January 2001.
U.S. sheriffs are therefore screaming for border enforcement. The American Sheriff Alliance is calling on elected officials “at every level of government to speak out and draw attention to the need of making proper reforms to these extreme challenges.” From their statement last week:
With hundreds of violent criminals entering communities every day around the country as well as the flow of illicit narcotics poisoning our citizens, the Alliance is demanding the rule of law in this country be followed and that all available sanctions and statutes be used to help alleviate the pressure the men and women of law enforcement are facing during this unprecedented period in our nation’s history.
Compassion is certainly needed for the honest work-seekers and families among the migrants. My colleagues will have a report on that shortly based on their visit to migrant encampments. But the border must be enforced. It’s that or the end of the nation.
“This unprecedented period in our nation’s history” – that’s the phrase used by the American Sheriff’s Association.
It’s an understatement. When has any nation destroyed itself in plain view with the full support of its elected government?
*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
Funny how this becomes a “problem” when it is placed at your doorstep. The problem isn’t slowing. I believe that allowing these illegals to cross and be in this country will prove to cause the most damage to this country in the history of the United State. This President has created the largest financial disaster ever and at the same time allowed our Country to be invaded. Of the now, 7.5M people who have been allow to enter this Country under this President, does any believe that perhaps maybe could be an army of terrorists or an actual Army brigade… Read more »
When we get local news from UK press that’s a sad commentary on our situation here. How can the lack of real news with real reporting be so missing in so many media markets around the country including Chicago without being coordinated, filtered, edited, and so sanitized it becomes a complete lie? ABC 7 News Chicago is so pathetic that it’s almost like a government agency ghost wrote the story. You can get a better story from a 5th grader. Leftists and Socialists have been chipping away at the Constitution for over 50 years with the Bill Ayers and Barack… Read more »
Daily Mail is not a legitimate news source.
They don’t overwhelmingly control the media and not many folks watch Channel 7. There are lots of alternative sources out there. The only way to know is to poll and interview people. I have yet to see any decent research on news consumption, and that’s most likely because it doesn’t support the narrative.
It doesn’t take a majority to win back the state.
The Daily Mail accurately quoted the basic story from Fox Chicago, who was simply quoting the city. We published the Fox story earlier: https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-rental-assistance-migrants-temporary-housing. Regarding news consumption, I think Pew has done good research on that, though you reject their work, I gather from earlier comments.
Daily mail has been a trail blazer of BS for over 100 years. Propaganda at the Daily Mail has been a tradition going all the way back to Lord Northcliffe in WWI and his fabrications of a German corpse factory for making nitroglycerin, candles, lubricants and boots! Privacy violations and libel are the meat and potatoes of the paper. Recently, Daily Mail staff has been busted stealing data, hacking into phones to report on voice mails, it’s embroiled in numerous libel suits, etc.
I’m not a fan of Pew. Their home page is packed full of divisive propaganda.
Comment: Daily Mail is not a legitimate news source. Response: Of course it isn’t in a typical fair and balanced reporting environment. Those days are LONG GONE. Sky News Australia also reports on Chicago news. This is clearly pointing to complete control of the free press. I am surprised you can’t see it. TASS or PRAVDA is what it resembles. Comment: They don’t overwhelmingly control the media and not many folks watch Channel 7. There are lots of alternative sources out there. Response: ABC 7 goes out of their way to disparage MAGA, Trump, January 6th, More COVID Shots, try… Read more »
I’m curious about whatt BJ and his posse have arranged to ‘see’ when they go to the border this week? It’s all shabby political theater, or course. What’s BJ going to ‘see’ that everyone doesn’t already know about? Every day, 8,000+ people are ‘apprehended’ by the Border Patrol for having crossed into our country illegally. The Border Patrol then warehouses them, and fiddles with them for a bit, then declares that they’re now ‘legal’ asylum seekers, and ‘releases’ them. Even Kamala had enough sense to not be photographed in a Texas Fed ‘holding facility’ ‘seeing’ this process play out, and… Read more »
Hmmmm- never mind.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12637355/Chicago-mayor-Brandon-Johnson-border-trip.html
Have to get the local news now from English press:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12636107/Chicago-migrants-rental-assistance.html
I walked away from the news yesterday because it’s depressing. As I did, for the first time ever, in my head, I referred to all of us citizens in the US as “sitting ducks.” It’s only a matter of time. And because terrorists need money to wage war those with the most money will be the first to go. That means Pritzker and Biden. I assume they’re too arrogant or not smart enough to know that.
But Biden and Attorney General Garland told us white supremecists are America’s biggest security threat.
Elegant solution: Become the Sanctuary State of Jewish Nation. Relocate Israel to Illinois. Clear title to land: willing sellers at fair market value who wish to flee the sinkhole that is Illinois can go. Those who wish to flee because of the economic terrorism of corrupt Illinois government may be given new hope with Illinois/Israel under new management. Solves the national territorial safety problem of Israel because bordering states Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Kentucky will not have any 24/7 interest in killing them. Solves Illinois civilians held hostage by corrupt government (but unwilling or unable to do anything about that)… Read more »
Add Asians, too, and we’d rapidly become the leading state and an international powerhouse of prosperity, freedom and innovation.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the Biden administration and MSM are the REAL existential threats to America.
Pat, as well as the tech platform-government collusion. We should have a good Supreme Court decision on that very soon — Missouri v. Biden.
Fantastic idea. There’s no better location for the Third Temple than Manteno. The locals will support that construction! Not sure if they’re familiar with measurements in cubits though…
As a city resident what’s most comical about the JB/Brandon migrant clown show is to watch when the whole “systemic dis-investment” in Black community equity hustle routine come in conflict with the migrant “humanitarian crisis” due to evil Abbot routine. When for example in reality, the city has tons of empty or fractionally used CPS schools in “systemic dis-investment” in Black community that could be used to house migrants but no pol or anyone in lib press wants to bring up?? I guess they’re counting on stupidity of voter/taxpayer public to continue to be played?? It seems Black folks are… Read more »
Democrats are counting on blind obedience – it is largely a cult.
Make no mistake, the three duplicitous, vile people pictured and those like them want to “ fundamentally transform America “ as to the vision promised by Barak Obama, a third world country not unlike his forefathers. They will lie, cheat and steal from the taxpayers to attain their goals. We need to say enough and remove them from power once and for all.
Trump should remain an ex-President, but make no mistake about it, if USA reelects Joe Biden for another 4 years, our country will be heading for a socialist hell hole.
Think outside the box. Put the illegals on ships, give them guns, and send them to Ukraine. Russia can’t object because they are not Americans and Ukraine can give them citizenship for their military service. Problem solved.
The picture of the gruesome three some tells the whole story.
Moe, Larry, and “ Toilet Bowl “ Curly will
Destroy all we have learned to love about this country
There’s tens if not hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants flooding Chicago. A drive around any suburb will bear witness to virtually every affordable apartment complex being 100% hispanic now with more illegals arriving every day. I bet you didn’t know this: mobile home parks are now mostly hispanic too. Yes, it’s no longer working class whites, or elderly on a fixed income, but illegals packing themselves 10 at a time in a 2 bedroom singlewide. It’s like this in every mobile home park now around here.
Well, how do you make the US a third world country unless you let the third world dominate us? That’s the gift from the elites to the rest of us. And, that’s the gift that just keeps on giving.
Reminds me of the song -Three Blind Mice see how they run (their mouths) with nonstop dribble.
That picture says a LOT, and none of it very good. The real question ‘What is the desired end-game of Democrats destructive open-border?’ I think I know, but it needs to be articulated by them. I suspect you won’t hear them admit to what they are upto because they know nearly no one will like the answer. So the ‘pretending’ continues by so many.
Democrats plan on giving them all amnesty and want to create a century of one-party Democrat rule. Immigrants vote democrat according to Pew at 75% to 80% rates. If they can flood the nation with illegals, and give them amnesty, they believe they can achieve permanent one-party Democrat rule. Everyone always forgets history, but Democrats held the Senate 26 of the last 90 years and the house 26 of the last 90 years (although not necessarily at the same time). This was because during the 1890’s to the 1920’s, they let in millions of immigrants, all of whom voted Democrat,… Read more »
We need to hear from Democrats what exactly it is they are trying to accomplish with open-borders – They owe voters a answer. PS: Biden already talking ‘free’ healthcare and housing for illegal aliens. Guess who pays, again. I don’t know about you, but I worked my a$$ off to get a job with good healthcare benefits and pay my rent/ mortgage/ property tax. Now Democrats act as if no big deal, grow the Plantation for the illegals.
I don’t think people are pretending. Everyone knows what’s happening. I’ve studied social movements and psychology for years, and our current state of affairs is not much different than previous social challenges. Generally, in times of crisis, competent people erroneously tend to fixate on fully understanding the problem instead of organizing and actually doing something. Focus on teaming up with friends in your neighborhood and what you can do to make a difference.
Competent people are typically law abiding, so being informed and voting was seen as the proper response. Election turnouts now are low because Informed, competent citizens understand elections are rigged. Look no further than the obscene gerrymandering in IL to insure Democrat control.
Competent people have been propagandized with a myth that they don’t have a say or a chance. Mass media is great at putting ideas in your head to further the interests of the status quo. Group memberships, momentum, cohesion, and morale are critical to pushing back against this mess and we’re making lots of headway in alternative media. They’re trying to take away our 1st amendment rights because they’re losing the fight! This video just popped up yesterday. This guy put together a simple narrative on Chicago corruption and will probably have close to a million views by the end… Read more »
Look no further than the last Mayoral election in Chicago – the electorates choice was a Leftist or Marxist. Democrats are so emboldened with rigged elections they want to make national elections rigged by getting rid of the electoral college. They probably will. America already resembles Argentina and other ‘banana republics’ with how the levers of government are used to persecute political opposition. In the meantime, so many in the ‘establishment’ are more concerned with how the deck chairs are arranged on the Titanic.
Hot air, videos and rhetoric only go so far. Until we seize control of the courts and government and get to make the laws and enforce them at our discretion, we are doing nothing. Hoping a dubious, comprised voting system is going to save this country is simply wishing in one hand and filling the other.
The British thought the same thing about rhetoric until the colonies declared independence.
Apples to oranges. The British didn’t have a rigged court system supported by roughly 81M voters. The British didn’t have a large force supposed to keep everyone in line that was either demoralized or hamstrung. The British didn’t have a small majority running roughshod over everyone else. The British were too far away from the situation to do anything about it, not appear at a school board meeting or a pro life clinic or an anti- drag queen protest in a matter of minutes. This is a whole new game from 1776.
Colonists didn’t have internet and the ability to communicate with millions plus all knowledge only a few clicks away. We can play this game all day.
Why are you trying to ruin my good vibes? Do you realize you’re so negative things will actually get better if you take a vacation and quit posting?
Communication is nothing compared to actually, physically doing something. If you feel that “ influencers “ can get American back on track, then be my guest as your opinion and “ good vibes “ are as valid as anyone’s. My choice not to be a Pollyanna is what is termed “ free speech “ and I will spare your feelings and take a vaycay when, and only when, good and ready.
David, I’ve criticized some of your suggestions in the past, but insofar as you are also saying to emphasize confidence and concrete action I totally agree. Everything is at risk now; America’s life is on the line. We’ve focused mostly on outlining the full scope of Illinois problems because the’ve been so underreported in Illinois, and understanding is the first step. Illinois will get much worse before it gets better, and we don’t claim we can “save” Illinois. America, however, can be saved, and it’s up to all of us. Illinois’ political establishment is at the forefront of those who… Read more »
Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate all criticism.
I’m confident we can make Illinois a better place.