Chicago City Wire

O'Hare International Airport has become a focal point for concerns over the handling of migrants as more than half of the shuttle terminal is now repurposed to house illegal immigrants, creating overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

The situation has triggered a heated response from Ben Bergquam, Host of "Law & Border" on RAV News and Founder of Frontline America.

Bergquam attributes the crisis to "Biden's Border Invasion" and sanctuary policies, emphasizing the strain it places on the city.

“More crazy footage. More than half of the shuttle terminal has been taken over at O’Hare International Airport to house illegals that Chicago can’t handle,” Bergquam said on X.

“This is one of 56+ locations across the city that’s being used because the city is overrun from Biden’s Border Invasion and the sanctuary policies that are inviting illegals to this city! Dear Mayor Johnson, #MAGA didn’t do this, #DemocratsDidThis! #Trump2024."

Bergquam also posted a video showing illegal immigrants deboarding a bus and entering the impromptu curtained-off shelter at O'Hare, originally intended as a temporary stop, that has been characterized as “overcrowded, unsanitary and unpleasant conditions” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

“It was supposed to be a stop-and-go place,” Vianney Marzullo, a volunteer at the airport, told the New York Post. “It’s very concerning. It is not just a safety matter but a public-health matter.”

Fox 32 reports that approximately 800 illegal immigrants are currently residing at O'Hare Airport, exacerbating the strain on the city's resources.

City officials acknowledge the influx of illegal immigrants flying in from various locations, including San Antonio, Houston, and New York, leading to a shortage of space and compelling families to seek refuge on airport sidewalks.

The crisis has been linked to Catholic Charities, based in San Antonio, Texas, which has been sending migrants to O'Hare Airport using federal funds, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Despite promises of assistance in starting a new life in Chicago, migrants, including those from Venezuela, find themselves in challenging conditions at the airport.

The number of arrivals continues to rise causing a significant burden on Chicago's infrastructure and creating a pressing need for additional shelter spaces.

According to Block Club Chicago, data released at the end of October revealed that over 3,400 migrants have been flown into Chicago since June, posing challenges to the city's resources and humanitarian efforts.

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications reported that the majority of arrivals, 2,705 people, landed at O'Hare airport, contributing to the strain on the city's temporary shelters.

The surge in asylum seekers intensifies the housing and humanitarian crisis, complicating support efforts and causing overcrowding at facilities. As winter approaches, local leaders grapple with communication issues, inadequate funding, and overwhelmed volunteers while trying to accommodate the increasing number of arrivals.

For months, buses have continued to bring migrants into Chicago daily, with data showing that the influx includes individuals arriving from San Antonio, Texas, as well as from Houston, New York City, and Denver. The increase in air travel to the city has been accompanied by concerns from volunteers and local leaders about the lack of resources and suitable facilities to address the needs of those seeking shelter and assistance.

Despite efforts to support migrants since August 2022, when the first buses arrived, Chicago has received over 19,000 people, leaving more than 3,100 awaiting placement in city shelters. The complex situation has led to criticism of City Hall's plan to establish winterized tent camps, with some volunteers and residents opposing these efforts. Poor intergovernmental communication, insufficient Spanish-speaking staff, and a lack of funds further complicate relief initiatives.

Over the past year and a half, more than 24,000 illegal immigrants have traveled to Chicago due to a largely open southern U.S. border.

Chicago reporter William Kelly said the unfolding crisis is like “a scene from Mad Max every single day.”