Four Venezuelan migrants are set to appear in court today after being arrested and charged with strangling and robbing a man on a Chicago train. The suspects, facing charges of robbery, aggravated battery, and strangulation, allegedly attacked a 49-year-old man. They provided their address as a city-run migrant shelter, although their legal status and address have not been confirmed by Chicago police.
In a separate incident, another Venezuelan migrant, Dion Gomez Mendoza, was cited for trespassing at O'Hare International Airport. Mendoza reportedly caused a disturbance by yelling and running in and out of the terminal, expressing a desire to return to Venezuela and resorting to violence if necessary.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the influx of migrants, with some considering switching their political allegiance due to their dissatisfaction with government responses. Criticism has been directed at Governor Pritzker, President Biden, and the city's mayor, prompting a shift towards supporting the Republican Party.
In response to the situation, the governor of Illinois and the Cook County board president have pledged a total of $250 million to address the migrant surge. This commitment follows previous financial allocations, with the state having already spent $478 million since the onset of its response, including a $160 million commitment made in November.
