As migrants continue to enter the United States, the issue is no longer confined to border cities or sanctuary cities. It is now seeping into the suburbs, creating a growing concern among local communities. The rapid population increase is overwhelming cities and now even suburban areas, causing various challenges ranging from physical security threats to healthcare concerns.
The village of Elburn, located outside of Chicago, recently took action to address the fallout of the migrant crisis. This move follows a trend among at least 10 Chicago suburbs that have passed new rules to prevent migrants from being dropped off in their towns. These measures are a response to efforts by Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson to control the influx of migrants into his sanctuary city. Consequently, migrants are now being transported to suburban areas and using trains to reach the city.
Grundy County, 60 miles southwest of Chicago, blames Mayor Johnson for creating chaos in the suburbs. To prevent further disruptions, they have erected signs along the highways explicitly stating 'no migrant buses.' Other sanctuary city suburbs, like Wheatridge in Colorado, are also bracing themselves for the impact of the migrant crisis. In fact, over 100 people attended a meeting in Wheatridge to protest the potential use of local facilities as migrant shelters.
The crisis is not limited to border and suburban areas. It has reached cities throughout the country, overwhelming resources and leaving shelters struggling to keep up with demand. For instance, New York City has been severely affected by the influx of migrants. The iconic Roosevelt Hotel, previously closed during the pandemic, now functions as an 800-room shelter for migrants. However, this has inadvertently affected small businesses in the vicinity. Coffee shops and shoe stores, among others, report a decline in sales and are facing financial difficulties.
The impact of the migrant crisis is evident on the streets of New York City. Approximately 7,000 migrants have arrived in the city over the past two weeks, with more than 68,000 currently under the city's care. This surge has led to a significant number of retail spaces adjacent to the shelter becoming vacant, negatively impacting local businesses. As a result, there are now numerous boarded-up storefronts with signs advertising retail space for rent along Madison Avenue.
The situation has sparked concerns among city business leaders, who believe that the conditions surrounding the Roosevelt Hotel exemplify the wider impact of the migrant crisis on communities across New York City. The strain on resources and impediment to small business recovery from the pandemic are becoming more apparent.
In response, New York's Democratic governor supports the city's mayor in suspending the right to shelter law temporarily, recognizing that the city is reaching a breaking point. As the debate continues, the migrant crisis persists, encompassing not only border cities and sanctuary cities but also suburbs and urban centers nationwide.
