Illinois Republican general assembly members weigh-in on migrant crisis

ILLINOIS (WIFR) – Solving the migrant crisis in Illinois is the main focus Tuesday for Republican general assembly members, sharing three ideas lawmakers say are key to finding a solution.

At the first legislative session for Illinois this year, Republican lawmakers suggest repealing parts of the TRUST Act, renegotiating health care for migrants and providing free travel for migrants back to their home country.

“Governor Pritzker and his allies in the general assembly, Mayor Johnson, have rolled out the red carpet for the migrants,” said State Senator Andrew Chesney. “We’ve passed laws like the TRUST act that make it almost impossible for local law enforcement to communicate with federal authorities.”

The TRUST Act prevents law enforcement from communicating with migrants. If repealed, officers would legally be allowed to engage with migrants.

State Representative Dave Vella says the migrant crisis is an issue that both parties want to fix, but he doesn’t understand the route Republicans are taking to get there.

“I’m not sure that anything that they said makes any sense to me,” Vella said. “The migrants that are coming up on these buses have been allowed in here under sanctuary status, they’ve been given legal access to the United States, so HBIA, the medical stuff that the Governor is doing wouldn’t apply to them.”

Lawmakers are working to fix the issue nationwide, but in Illinois, State Representative Maurice West says it will take the power of both parties to solve the problem.

“I’m willing to work together,” West said. “And if the Republican party is serious about the morality of human lives, then I’m hoping that we can put our egos aside and work on legislation together.”

According to Republican lawmakers, Democrats have expanded the free healthcare programs for migrants and illegal immigrants in Illinois. This year, it is expected to cost taxpayers $1.1 billion.

A legislative package is being finalized for the Republican parties’ requests and will be filed before the February 9 deadline for the introduction of bills.

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