(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A senior-level aide in the Johnson Administration officials says more and more migrants are arriving in Chicago, and it's time the White House stepped up.
A bus full of asylum seekers even ended up mistakenly at Willis Tower overnight, but Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Johnson’s deputy chief of staff, believes that was an aberration because the city has specific ''landing zones'' for new arrivals.
The migrants keep arriving in increasing numbers, with more than 11 buses expected Thursday. Fourteen buses arrived within the last 24 hours, and Pacione-Zayas said they are coming at all hours. Even some Sanctuary cities, like Denver, are sending asylum seekers to Chicago, she said.
The city has asked Cook County and state officials to help identify staging areas outside Chicago where migrants could stay while housing is found for them, she said. So far, no sites have been found, but Chicago is holding the line, Pacione-Zayas said.
More than 17,000 migrants have arrived since the crisis began last summer. Currently, there are 10,142 in city shelters, with another 3,199 awaiting placement, city officials said.
Pacione-Zayas echoed a request by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who has urged the Biden Administration to intervene at the Southern Border and coordinate with states.
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